American Opioid Addiction Keeps Growing (Tom Ashbrook, On Point)

If you hadn’t noticed – and it’s hard to ignore – we are now in the midst of the worst addiction epidemic in American history. And unlike earlier battles with crack and cocaine, say my guests today, this addiction epidemic was made in America. Fueled by American pharmaceutical companies churning out mountains of opioid pills. Enabled by doctors looking to deal with pain. Embraced by Americans for all kinds of reasons. Followed up by cheap heroin when the prescriptions run out. Hitting young and old – and white. This hour On Point, America’s homegrown addiction epidemic. – Tom Ashbrook
Interview:
https://onpoint.wbur.org/2015/10/06/fda-oxycontin-heroin-opioid-addiction-crisis