#42: The Opioid Crisis
According to the Congressional Budget Office, the United States has been suffering from an opioid crisis since the mid-1990s. Hundreds of thousands of people have died as a result of these highly addictive substances, and many more have experienced negative health effects. But how did this all start? Well, with prescriptions from doctors.
Opioid prescriptions used to be highly restricted. Doctors are well aware of their addictiveness and have always been hesitant to prescribe them to people unless they are experiencing extreme pain. However, pharmaceutical companies began heavily promoting opioids in the 90s, and doctors were encouraged to prescribe more freely. Of course, there are other factors at play, but well-intentioned doctors trying to help patients with their pain is definitely a big reason the crisis has evolved.