It was a few years ago, and not on FR that I read an article stating that without chronic medication and life saving remedial (ala triple bypass) surgeries, that the life expectancy in the U.S. has actually gone down (IIRC mid 50’s) over the last 100 years.
I think you may have overestimated the number of drug/fix dependent people in the U.S. but maybe not for your area. Then again, you may be right. I know in this rural area, most are drug free and not overweight (though there are many elderly), but I need only take a 90 minute trip to an urban area to see people who are both of those things. I do fully believe that 20% of people would easily fall into the dependent class, needing drugs of some sort (illegal or prescription) to function. It was mentioned in “One Second After” that about 1 in 20 people could not function in society without being heavily medicated, and I suspect that 1 in 5 people who are under the true life expectancy (of about 55-60 years) could no longer cope with the reality that surrounds us without some form of drug. I think the rate of 50+ is much higher in terms of prescription drug use (Over 50% IIRC).
So I suppose when all is said and done, your assessment may be on track, but I sure hope it isn’t. I’d like to think there is hope for America, even after TSHTF.
Where I am located drugs are big, big problem (Meth)along w/ drug labs, crime associated with drug culture. I am in a rural county in NW AR. The people are either grossly over weight or drugged out bags of bones, smoke, drink, on Medicaid and live off the taxpayer. They will not change and they vote Democrat if they vote at all. Most spend time in HUD apt. watching “Twilight” videos, reproducing, fighting, feeding themselves with food stamps. And believe they are entitled to this. They poison their bodies, get diabetes, Cardiovascular diseases, require extensive medical care that is often result of their life style choices. I see them toting oxygen tanks w/ pack of cigs in the pocket. We pay for it. I am not very optimistic. I keep getting flashes from the 70s movies “Soylent Green”.