Well, i'm a doctor so part of this is an argument from authority. But arguments from authority are stupid. So here are some references: [0] - CDC report descri

Well, i'm a doctor so part of this is an argument from authority. But arguments from authority are stupid. So here are some references: [0] - CDC report describing epidemic in prescription opiate deaths [1] - NIH report showing overdose deaths. the relevant stats: Since 2001, prescription opiate deaths have risen from 6000 to around 16,000. Over the same period, heroin overdoses went from 2,000 to 8,000. This data is to 2013. So there is a clear problem, and in fact prescription opiates cause significantly more deaths than heroin. [2] - a report from closer to (my) home and region of practice detailing increases in prescription drug use in Australia and increase in opiate-related deaths secondary to this [0] http://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/data/overdose.html http://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/data/overdose.html [1] http://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rates http://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics/ov... [2] https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2011/195/5/prescription-opioid-analgesics-and-related-harms-australia https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2011/195/5/prescription-opioi...