Editorial: Opioid addicts should pay for their own treatment

By Makinzie Larson

Editor’s Note: The article reflects the opinion of the writer.

Developing addiction to opioid drugs can increase after just five days of use, according to The Truth.

Opioids is an umbrella term used todescribe drugs such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine and morphine that bind to opioid receptors in the body.

These drugs killed an alarming average of 115 people every day in 2016, according to The Truth. In Nebraska alone, there were 44 opioid – related deaths in 2016.

More than two million Americans have become dependent on or have abused opioids, experts said in a CNN article titled “Opioid Crisis Fast Facts.”

The government has attempted to address this problem by establishing laws such as the 21^st Century Cures Act, which gave $1 billion worth of grants to states

Enabling addicts to receive treatment and attend prevention programs.

However, the government should not allocate precious money to send addicts to treatment facilities. The money could be better spent elsewhere. If addicts are willing to go through treatment to recover from addiction, they should do so on their own dime.

In March 2018, the Trump administration began an initiativeto stop opioid drug abuse.

Its main focuses are law enforcement intervention, prevention, advertisement campaign education and job – seeking assistance.

I agree programs and education should be available for addicts. However,

I don’t think the government should allot funds for programs or campaigns.

I don’t believe an addict will see an educational advertisement about opioids and choose to stop.

Addicts are “addicts” for a reason. It can be extremely hard to convince addicts to educate themselves orsearch for a job. Why should the government spend so much money to educateaddicts or provide treatment centers when homelessness is still such a rampantissue in the U.S.?

This epidemic is on the rise with more deaths each year than before.

Pain is subjective, and prescriptionsshould be given to patients more carefully. That is easier saidthan done, but it’s a start.

Government payment for campaigns andtreatment centers should not be the answer to this epidemic. If itmust be an answer, we need to think of other solutions, too.