Understanding the Opioid Crisis: A Comprehensive Examination

Introduction

Presented by Matt Bivens, M.D. via Racket News, this article is the first in a series exploring the opioid crisis in the United States. Bivens, a former Moscow Times co-worker and current E.R. doctor, will be publishing the remaining features on his Substack site, The 100 Days. The series aims to shed light on this often overlooked issue that, in any other presidential election year, would be a major domestic concern. The articles will delve into the surprising and little-understood factors that contribute to this escalating disaster, which is largely man-made.

The Medical Profession's Role

It's an uncomfortable truth that the medical profession has played a significant role in getting millions of Americans addicted to heroin and fentanyl. This unfortunate reality has led to nearly one in ten adults losing a family member to a drug overdose, causing widespread anger among the public. This anger has influenced skepticism towards official COVID-19 narratives and could potentially impact the outcome of the Presidential election. Despite the gravity of the situation, many medical professionals feel powerless to change the course of events, given the influence of those higher up in the hierarchy.

The History of Opioid Use

The use of opioids for pain relief dates back to the U.S. Civil War when morphine was widely used to treat chronic coughing and severe pain. The invention of the hypodermic needle allowed for fast-acting injections, leading to widespread addiction among veterans, a condition referred to as "the Soldier's Disease". The situation got so bad that when heroin (diacetylmorphine) was introduced by pharmaceutical company Bayer in 1898, it was seen as an improvement. Despite its addictive nature, many doctors believed it was a safer alternative to morphine.

The First Opioid Crisis

The widespread use of opioids led to the first Opioid Crisis, with the U.S. being described as "the greatest drug fiends in the world". The crisis was driven by ignorance, lack of alternatives, and the inappropriate use of heavily marketed and physician-endorsed treatments. In response, the nation launched a campaign against all addictive substances, which included the establishment of new anti-narcotics agencies and a U.S. Constitutional amendment to ban alcohol.

The Modern Opioid Crisis

Despite the lessons from history, medical schools began teaching that opioids weren't necessarily addictive less than 70 years after the end of the Prohibition experiment. This led to a significant increase in opioid overdoses and deaths, reaching 80,000 per year in recent times. The crisis has been exacerbated by the aggressive marketing and prescribing of opioids by pharmaceutical companies, leading to massive legal settlements against those involved in making, distributing, or selling opioids.

The Future of the Opioid Crisis

The future of the Opioid Crisis may involve the widespread use of buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist used to treat opioid addiction. While it has been shown to prevent death and disability, it is also addictive and expensive, raising questions about the ethics and sustainability of this approach.

Conclusion

The Opioid Crisis is a complex issue that has been driven by a combination of ignorance, greed, and a lack of alternatives. As we move forward, it's essential to learn from our past mistakes and work towards solutions that prioritize the health and well-being of individuals over profit.

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