A community on the front lines of the opioid epidemic
So what can be done? I usually update my theory about the situation when I read new articles, but now I&#x27;m really at a loss. I&#x27;d love to help these people, but I can&#x27;t see a fool-proof solution.<p>Some questions come to mind:<p>- Is it the role of the government to keep people safe from themselves? If so, how?<p>- Would harsher drug laws make things better or worse?<p>- How big of a role does purported economic opportunity have to do with drug abuse? My theory used to be that structural unemployment was the root of this epidemic; those born into the quickly receding middle class---those who relied on low-knowledge&#x2F;low-skill jobs for a modest living---are hit the hardest since they did not anticipate such a shortage of low-skill jobs.<p>- What does religion have to do with this?<p>- What does culture have to do with this?<p>- Are members of the military more or less affected by opiod drug abuse?<p>- Does providing safe places to take drugs alleviate the problem, or does it make it worse?