Wouldn't it make more sense to go after the doctors who abuse it? I know of a few doctors around here who were caught "padding the bills" so to speak and they were given a fine, which I'm sure hurt, but apparently not enough to stop it. Also a friend of mine has a friend who he went to high school (and maybe even some college) with who through no original fault of his own got addicted to pain killers, went through rehab more than the Rolling Stones, and finally after about his 5th try finally kicked it for good (hopefully) and now works for the states or feds (not sure which) investigating doctors who write opioid scripts like they skittles, since he knew what to look for and what questions to ask. I don't think this is stopped the problem around here but from what I hear it has made things better. Maybe they need to find a punishment that works on the doctors' side abuse and maybe offer some sort of "real reward" for people who report actual offenders that might help close the other end. Oh and let's not forget the departments who are supposed to investigate these things. My daughter worked for the DHS in the county where we live for a little over a year before she decided to go back to school to finish her masters. She never named names, but the stories she told of the **** she saw was literally so bad that if you all knew it you'd long for the days when things were only as bad as the rumors you hear.
Oh, and my purpose is not to criticize any person per se, just eliminate the abuses so that people who really need it and really deserve/qualify for it can always have it available.