I think we would all agree that anyone who is able to function without opiates is well advised to do so. Also, anyone whose condition can be treated, that is to say actually improved, through diet, supplements, exercise, physical therapy, surgery, or any other means ought to pursue those means as far as possible. A very long discussion on this list about the efficacy of marijuana for neuropathic pain holds out hope that greater access to this will provide more pain relief with fewer side effects in the future. I am anxious for this myself.

However, it does not follow from an article like this that no one is appropriately treated with long term opiate therapy. Most of those deaths are from people stealing or buying drugs prescribed for others, or people deliberately misusing their medication. As for accidental overdose by legitimate patients, that occurs with other medication as well, like the tranquilizers overly prescribed to the elderly.

This is an emotional issue and the press, which is just as likely to run another article tomorrow about the specter of undertreated pain, loves to use indefinites like many and some to alarm the public. I would not want anyone who is using their medication as prescribed and deriving the benefit of a more normal, active life from it to feel ashamed or to deny themselves necessary rest and relief.