I should also add that "just letting them be addicted" is not a solution. It's a holding pattern; just like how we accept that alcoholics and smokers will chose

I should also add that "just letting them be addicted" is not a solution. It's a holding pattern; just like how we accept that alcoholics and smokers will chose to quit when they are ready to; or suffer the consequences from their vices. (Assuming you're in the US or similarly governed countries:) The law isn't about forcing people to make the right decisions for themselves, it's about helping society function. IE, "freedom" only works when other people can do dumb things. Clearly, our current situation (opioid consumption is illegal unless actively being used for pain management) isn't working; and doubling down on that situation isn't a solution either. There's a clear difference between "you shouldn't do this" and "doing this is illegal." Having the maturity to understand the difference is why we ended alcohol prohibition, and also what's needed to contain (and hopefully end) the opioid epidemic.