[strangestchild]

What a ridiculous article.

The statement "70% [are] on prescription drugs" is devoid of moral content. If the title had been "70% are on prescription drugs unnecessarily" or indeed "70% misuse prescription drugs", we would have had a story. As it is, the implicit title "70% are currently being treated for medical conditions, using drugs that have passed several rounds of peer-reviewed trial" is a testament to our healthcare system.

I'm not at all surprised by the statement that prescription opioid usage 'outstrips' heroin usage by a factor of 14. I'm glad these people are getting pain relief. Indeed, if the number of heroin users was anywhere near the number of people with badly broken bones or chronic pain, I would be alarmed.

This article very much prompts the question "What alternative would you suggest?"