What is the solution to this opioid epidemic? As an outsider not well-versed in this topic, my guess is that the root cause here is hopelessness, struggle, and

What is the solution to this opioid epidemic? As an outsider not well-versed in this topic, my guess is that the root cause here is hopelessness, struggle, and boredom caused by poverty and unemployment. The solution then would be to employ people and give them a sense of purpose, or at least get them out of poverty. I'm a huge proponent of a universal basic income (UBI), though I'm not sure that a UBI would fix this problem. Thus it seems as if some sort of government jobs program may be necessary. Giving people meaningful well-paying jobs in science and technology would do wonders in getting people off these ridiculous addictions.