The opioid epidemic has done tremendous damage to our country. Over prescribing at one point did contribute to the issue, however illicit fentanyl is the primary cause of the devastation we see today.
In the midst of the attempt to stop the crisis everyday chronic pain patients have been targeted, stigmatized, and faced an almost impossible battle to obtain care and treatment with opioid medications. They endure monthly drug testing, skepticism, and a general lack of compassion to obtain care due to the current political climate.
These medications have been used for hundreds of years for pain because they are incredibly effective and safe. The risk of addiction for the average person is low. We have came near to throwing out the baby with the bath water. People are being denied opioids for surgery’s, broken bones, and dental care every day due to fear of repercussions from the DEA. We have gone too far.
Limits on production also means many people cannot fill prescriptions. During covid some patients were denied opioids due to shortages that came as a result of these limits.
Please reconsider this issue with reason and balance. Lift the guidelines on prescribing and let doctors decide what fits each patient best without fear of persecution. It is incredibly rare for a patient being prescribed opioids who takes them as prescribed to face any negative health effects.
Also lift arbitrary opioid production limits imposed by bureaucrats .
Refocus attention on stopping the flow of fentanyl into our country via the border and stop punishing patients.