I truly knew nothing about these pain killers until 2010 and hip replacement. I was taking Darvocet as I had to get off ibuprofen and then Darvocet was taken off the market after hip surgery, the damage done by Darvocet....So hearing just about every day on my radio this drug war and what is going on in our country with addiction, Dr. Drew Pinsky is one I hear a lot, I started to do research and here is some history:

Opioid history: From 'wonder drug' to abuse epidemic - CNN

Billions of dollars have been made and millions of lives have been lost thru it all.

Why can't pharma produce pain meds that DO NO HARM. Same goes for all the drugs they produce and all the harm from them.

It may differ in different countries but here opioid drugs for pain relief are readily available on prescription.

There is some concern about "doctor-shopping" (some people visit many doctors to get prescriptions for opioids which they then either abuse or sell to third parties) but I believe that there is a database, based on Medicare Card numbers, which pharmacists can check to try to prevent this.

It's out of control in this country of 300+million and even in your country of 24+million there can be it's own issues.

I took Darvocet and NEVER had a problem. Now, I take Oxycodone for chemoneuropathy, fibromyalgia, neuralgia. I take ibuprofen first and if that doesn't help, I have to take a pill. I usually end up taking one a day in the evening. If that makes me an addict then so be it. At 63, I am about quality of life. I have started CBD oil and that has helped immensely. The Pharmaceutical industry should produce more natural, less addictive, alternatives. But...their business model is to create return customers across the board. I signed a contract with my PCP and I have a urine drug screen every three months to ensure 1) I am taking the medication vs selling 2) I am not abusing the medication. I am happy to do this because my life would be a living hell without some narcotic relief. Some people have a genetic propensity for addiction while others do not. I am blessed to have NOT a genetic propensity.