That's helpful @david56. In this discussion, it seems to me we have been talking about culprits for two different human problems: First, growing widespread use of opioids obtained from medical professionals as well as illicit drug channels and, second, the shrinking supply of even licit opioids needed by chronic pain victims whose doctors are reducing to eliminating their needed dosages.

Medical professionals (including PCPs) are involved in both of these problems to some extent. I wonder why they are allowing federal law enforcement and health officials to override their decisions about the care needed by their patients-in-pain.

Yes, I recently was a guest columnist for "Pain News Network" (again, no link posting allowed yet) speaking to "government overreach".

In a valiant attempt to stop an "opioid epidemic", the CDC statistically linked pain pills with HEROIN. Lumping those statistics together produced some frightening statistics, but left the New England Journal of Medicine ("Reducing the Risks of Relief") and others questioning CDC's underlying research. There is simply not enough evidence for a "one size fits all" solution. The CDC guidelines are officially "voluntary", but have had that "chilling effect" on physicians who would not want to risk the time and trouble necessary to defend their decisions. Per the CDC, chronic pain does not qualify for opioid pain relief. The patient's chronic pain is at once acknowledged and also not addressed as to a solution.

So, when you wonder "why they are allowing federal law enforcement and health officials to override their decisions", it is a the "asymmetry of power" ... the physicians have less, and no time to fight it individually.

Thanks for the additional insights, @david56. Seems to me we're zeroing in on at least one primary culprit -- the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Hopefully, the CDC is not participating in any law enforcement procedure for recording detailed data on physicians' prescriptions issued or on patients' prescriptions satisfied. That would make the CDC a government agent for physicians to fear even more than the CDC "voluntary" guidelines for prescribing opioids. Reduced consumption of opioids is good news only to the extent that patients who need them are not denied them in an atmosphere of fear of government consequences.

Hello @david56, welcome to Connect. Not being able to post links is only a temporary thing for newer members on Connect. We are looking in to how long this will last and will inform you as soon as I find out. Thank you for your patience.

I thank you, sir. This Mayo site is new to me and has stimulating posts.

@david56, I have updated information. New members can post links once they have been a member for 10 days or have made 3 or more posts on Connect. This is a safety precaution to prevent "spammers" on Connect. I look forward to seeing more posts from you on Mayo Clinic Connect.