THE DRUG INDUSTRY’S TRIUMPH OVER THE DEA

Amid a targeted lobbying effort, Congress weakened the DEA’s ability to go after drug distributors, even as opioid-related deaths continue to rise, a Washington Post and ‘60 Minutes’ investigation finds.

In April 2016, at the height of the deadliest drug epidemic in U.S. history, Congress effectively stripped the Drug Enforcement Administration of its most potent weapon against large drug companies suspected of spilling prescription narcotics onto the nation’s streets.

By then, the opioid war had claimed 200,000 lives, more than three times the number of U.S. military deaths in the Vietnam War. Overdose deaths continue to rise. There is no end in sight.

A handful of members of Congress, allied with the nation’s major drug distributors, prevailed upon the DEA and the Justice Department to agree to a more industry-friendly law, undermining efforts to stanch the flow of pain pills, according to an investigation by The Washington Post and “60 Minutes.” The DEA had opposed the effort for years.

Yes, the unintended consequences of restricting legitimate access to pain meds is well documented (scientifically studied). The main unintended consequence is a 1000% increase in prescriptions of codeine. That might not seem like a problem except it doesn't work as well in many cases. Overdoses of acetaminophen and ibuprofen often result from the codeine mixtures. People can't stop the pain so they take more and more.

I had the same experience with an abscess. My only thought was pain, 24 hours, no sleep. One Vicodin pill did the trick. I slept like a log and functioned with pain thereafter. I had some injuries and sciatica over the next few years and used 1 or 2 more pills each time. Eventually it stopped working, the pills were too old and expired.

Today's opioid warriors are like the gun grabbers or prohibitionists. They believe that since some people can't handle the responsibilities, then nobody should be free (of pain or attack by criminals or having a beer without going to jail). Radical egalitarianism, or just projection.

Amen!

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