America & Opioids – A Doomed Marriage: Part 1 (The First Opioid Epidemic)

The United States is a nation that still prohibits the use of marijuana, a drug linked with zero overdoses. Yes, when used irresponsibly (like with anything), weed can cause harm to the user and others. Nonetheless, it is staggering that the federal government won’t even entertain the notion of legalizing the substance.

In comparison, it has overseen a staggering increase in opioid-related overdose deaths. Data from NIDA found that in 2020, almost 92,000 Americans died from a drug-involved overdose. That year, there were approximately 56,500 overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone.