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You can because some poorer countries don't have an opiod epedimic. For example, opiod use is higher in West Virginia than Mexico. Certainly true that comparat

• jdietrich 9y ago
  Overprescribing is undoubtedly a key part of the problem, but so is poverty. The opioid epidemic is having a vastly disproportionate effect on poor communities, in large part because poor people are vastly disproportionately likely to suffer from chronic pain. Doctors didn't cause the crack epidemic in the 80s. We can't isolate any single factor, but must consider the problem in a holistic manner. Fixing the problem of overprescribing is a really important step, but the problems of poverty and addiction won't just disappear if we stop dishing out vicodin and oxcycontin.
  • Retric 9y ago
    There are several issues around that association that have little direct connections to poverty rather than more US specific issues. First lack of medical care to fix or prevent the underlying causes of much chronic pain. The second is a tendency to prescribe opiods to poor populations rather than focusing on less addictive medications. Further, non chronic pain can transform into chronic pain as Opiod uses/addiction increases pain sensitivity. Combine the above and poor healthcare more directly links to Opiod addiction than you're suggesting. EX: Mildly Injured > no medical care > working while Injured due to lack of sick leave > more significant problem > prescribed Opiod's vs surgery > addiction.