I always proclaim opiate addicts as national treasures as well... lmao...
Not everyone is of low character and becomes addicted by the street drug route. Many have become so because, as indicated, they were prescribed opiates following surgery. In the not too distant past, opioids were much more freely and extensively prescribed than now, and stronger ones additionally. Parenthetically, the government as usual attacked the problem with an axe through the various governing agencies. Now some post-surgical patients suffer due to under prescribing and there is more suffering for the 10% of chronic pain patients for who opiates are the final and only answer. Prescribers feel like they have the sword of Democlese hanging over their heads. But I digress.
People [innocently] became addicted in the recent past. Additionally, brains are “wired” differently also making some people much more susceptible to this plight than others. For these people it’s not a character issue as you imply, but nevertheless, a very difficult one to overcome.
