“America's worst public health crisis in decades,” declared President Trump, in August –pertaining to America’s recent rise in opioid overdoses.

But what is an, "opioid?"

Opioid(s) – “Some of the most commonly abused prescription drugs, often used as a pain treatment… including; codeine, Tylenol (1, 2, 3 and 4), hydromorphone (Dilaudid), oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet, Percodan), morphine and others.”

Whereby, some 50,000 American deaths were caused last year alone by, “opioid drug overdoses,” and worse yet, these statistics were caused by an industry, which according to “PharmeceuticalCommerce.com” will be worth 1.12 TRILLION DOLLARS, in 2022 alone. Yet, a statistic which is perhaps even more alarming is the finances behind these drugs and an RX industry which currently sits at the pinnacle of vast government spending. And these statistics are very troubling to me personally, for a variety of reasons.

But again, these are re-stated facts but I have some very strong opinions and beliefs, regarding these issues.

And first of all, how do these numbers effect other issues? Have drug overdoses surpassed automobile deaths as the number 1 cause of death in America? And how does prescription drug suicide impact; universal health care, obesity, social security and government spending?

Where I’ve written prior articles on suicide statistics, in conjunction with food stamp and housing reform, but in my opinion… this dilemma pin points the need for food and housing reforms today.

Because there were 50,000 overdose fatalities, solely due to opioid overdoses, just last year! And that means out of 350 million Americans, 1/70,000 people –died last year from suicidal opioid overdoses. Whereby, this statistic indicates to me… the immediate need for our entire country to re-examine our society, as a whole. But also, I believe that these statistics are gravely indicative of massive depression within the US, as well as the need for our government to spend more cautiously… on prescription health-care costs.

Regardless, what are the solutions? Surely some people have benefited from these types of medications? Is this rash of suicides… caused by the drugs themselves? Or, is this an offshoot of social stress and anxiety, created by corporate America, in terms of honest Americans running themselves into the ground? Or do people just suck? And isn’t that what the news should be reporting on?

But in all seriousness, I pose these questions… because what are the solutions? And personally, I believe that the foremost solution is to simply rename these drugs. Whereby, I believe that the title(s) of the drugs themselves, “namely pain killers,” could be a big part of the problem itself. And in particular, the term, “pain killer,” to me seems more like a nefarious marketing ploy than a medicinal title at all!

So how about, “nerve agents?”

Just a thought.

-William Larsen, Civilians News