(March 21, 2018 at 2:57 pm)Tizheruk Wrote: Are doctors on the chopping block for prescribing opioids?
It's my understanding that in the US, the DEA has been cracking down on overprescibers, and also pressuring doctors to write fewer opioid prescriptions in general.
I can say it's a lot harder to get a needed RX even for Vicodin / Norco (*). The last time I needed it, I'd get a 3 day supply if taken as directed, I'd get chastised for using it anywhere near that fast, and it took at least 2 days to get a refill approved, and then I'd have to go pick up a paper scrip. In the end, I often went days without any effective pain relief, and I eventually gave up trying. For legit, necessary use, that's madness.
(*) As vorlon13 notes, ain't gonna kill you from the opioid, but the acetaminophen / paracetamol eventually will if you abuse it. I had a friend die - slowly - of acetaminophen toxicity. An opioid overdose by comparison is humane.
It seems to me that executing drug dealers ain't gonna do a thing to dry up the demand, but yeah, it's a solution that resonates with some demographics and it's a lot cheaper and easier than, you know, treating addiction.
