Look here's the issue. In people with chronic pain, there's a medical issue. Treating the medical issue ... is very expensive (I believe spinal operations woul

Look here's the issue. In people with chronic pain, there's a medical issue. Treating the medical issue ... is very expensive (I believe spinal operations would be pretty common). Giving them opioids ... "treats" the issue. Cheaply, even though yes, these people are from that point on dependent on opioids. They are of course addicted FIRSTLY because they went untreated, and SECONDLY because the medicine is addictive. Eliminating one of those reasons for addition is pointless. You cannot give these people nothing. You can't actually treat them (that's WAY too expensive). So what is your suggestion, exactly ? You can't leave them untreated and in sometimes incredible pain.