The few articles I read on the subject are actually quite clear that the current crisis is due to the increased control on prescriptions, and some talk about th

The few articles I read on the subject are actually quite clear that the current crisis is due to the increased control on prescriptions, and some talk about the side effects on people with actual needs: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/12/prescription-drugs-what-if-you-depend-on-opioids-chronic-pain https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/12/prescription... https://www.theguardian.com/society/ng-interactive/2016/may/25/opioid-epidemic-overdose-deaths-map https://www.theguardian.com/society/ng-interactive/2016/may/... "The simplistic idea was, 'Oh, this is all about prescription opioids, and therefore that's all we need to do: reduce the supply of prescription opioids and we'll reduce all these deaths and people won't become addicted,'" said Alexander Walley, a physician and director of addiction consultation services at Boston Medical Center. "Well, what we're seeing now is that even as you reduce access to prescription opioids, you're seeing an explosion of heroin use and heroin overdoses ." Still, it's hard for someone that has not experienced these conditions to understand how prescribing these highly addictive substances could be justified. Is it the only form of treatment ? How is treatment handled in other countries ?