> aren't that unusual

They're unusual in countries where you are treated like a human being.

Most countries it’s much harder to get controlled substances than in the US.

I mean, we had a massive opioid epidemic, not sure you know?

Not really. I am surprised at the ridiculous hoops Americans have to go through to get controlled drugs from the pharmacy. Photo ID, special prescription pads for the doctor, a special copy filed off with the federal government... here we just pick up the prescription. As far as I can tell the difference is doctors are just less willing to prescribe opiates here for minor or transitory pain. I've always gotten Tylenol after dental surgery for example. I groan about it but it probably hurts less than a smack addiction would.

Your opioid epidemic is due to your society, not any kind of difficulty (or lack thereof) in procuring something to escape from it.

Bullshit. Just look at opioid prescribing in the US compared to say the EU. It’s an order of magnitude higher than Germany (per capita).

What point are you making?

That the reason why the US has stricter rules around controlled substances is because we have a problem due to overprescribing.

In most countries it’s easier to get controlled substances. In fact, the easier and less risky it is, the lower abuse seems to be.

There is truth to this. The difficulty in getting prescription opiates does lead some to heroin I’m sure.