I'd really like to see whether people denied opiates just turn into straitlaced people or they just start abusing things more readily available, like booze. Considering that both things can kill you fairly readily, through different mechanisms, i'm not sure that is any kind of improvement.

My experience of substance abusers is that they choose the most convenient and readily available solution until something so bad happens to them that they put aside the addictions. "hitting rock bottom" is the common term.

With this kind of attitude toward substance abuse, I am sure you can understand how I think the whole concept of an "opioid epidemic" refers purely to supply of one particular intoxicant, without impacting the personal and social problems that cause substance abuse.

On an anecdotal note, i'd be happy if I could go to a suburban location on a business trip without being accosted by a girl that reminds me of a less washed version one of my mid-20s daughters trying to sell herself to me for a fix.