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Epidemics do tend to end at some point, but they leave considerable destruction in their wake.

Heroin was a product of the Bayer Company of Germany, marketed as a preferred alternative to morphine– stronger, and thought to be safer

When it comes to drug epidemics, sealing the borders is a limited strategy at best.

A street dealer explained it: “That’s the dope business, man. You got to protect your corner.”

For most Americans, addiction remains a defect of character or self-discipline.

Thus someone who’s on maintenance but seeking one last ‘high’ often looks to fentanyl as a way around the medication. That’s risky in the extreme.

Many physicians don’t want to offer opioid maintenance. They’re happy to refer out, to an addictionologist or psychiatrist with training.

The public needs to trust the people and institutions that provide the care they depend on when they (or someone they love) is sick.

In terms of a comfortable detox, Suboxone was a success. In terms of a return to opiate use, it was a failure.

I always encourage family members with concerns about a loved one’s opioid use to communicate directly with the prescriber.