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I'm not sure the outcome for option B is so clear cut. Removing access to medication doesn't remove the primary cause driving people to seek drugs, be it pain
by biofox 10y ago
I'm not sure the outcome for option B is so clear cut.
Removing access to medication doesn't remove the primary cause driving people to seek drugs, be it pain or psychological issues. I suspect people with high abuse potential will just resort to alternatives: street drugs or alcohol.
- brianwawok 10y agoPerhaps, perhaps not. It depends where you stand on the war on drugs. It seems fairly common that professional working people get on an opioid for something (say a fall), and then become addicted. These people can live for years on the Opioid, perhaps working a professional job. Now sure, if you ban opioid they could go and buy some black tar heroine and meth... but I am doubtful 100% of people would make that jump. Alcohol is a different beast. Obviously some people become addicted, let's call it 10%. But 10% addiction rate is a lot lower than a 99% addiction rate that long term opioid use has. So the net benefit of less opioids is almost certainty going to be less people addicted to drugs.
- mannykannot 10y agoThe response of abusers to the reduction of everyone's access to medication does not depend on where you stand on the war on drugs; it is, or will be, a matter of fact. Maybe more evidence is needed, but pseudo-quantitative arguments with made-up statistics that support your view on the war on drugs are not evidence.
- brianwawok 10y agoThe response of abusers to the reduction of everyone's access to medication does not depend on where you stand on the war on drugs; it is, or will be, a matter of fact. Sure. But your willingness to WANT this outcome will depend on your stance on the war of drugs. A blanket ban of all opioids with a harsh prison sentence (say, crack-cocaine level) would both decrease opioid addiction, and increase prison population. Your stance on the war of drugs will point to if you think this is a good trade off or not. Maybe more evidence is needed, but pseudo-quantitative arguments with made-up statistics that support your view on the war on drugs are not evidence. My view on the war of drugs has little to this argument. However as mentioned above, your feelings on it may influence how you feel about the broader opioid epidemic and how you want to react to it.
- mannykannot 10y agoI would recommend an approach that is more evidence-based.
- GordonS 10y ago99% addiction rate? Source please.