Are prescription opiods 100% to blame? No. Clearly the problem predates that. But it’s clear they do play a role.
I think the vast majority of deaths and abuse are from the illegal use, but I can tell you just about anyone taking opioids on a daily basis for chronic pain, is at risk.
I’ll give you one study. Opioids make the user “sensitive” to pain. Meaning, as the drug wears off, the pain is as severe or more than it was when before the dosage...Patients get relief, but it’s not lasting.