What should be done about the opioid crisis (Read Details)?

There is a component to this opioid crisis that I think many people overlook and that is accessibility to necessary medication by people with legitimate chronic pain. It is already difficult for people with chronic pain to get their needed relief without being treated with suspicion over being a drug seeker.

CVS is “fighting” the opioid epidemic by refusing to give out more than 5 days worth of pain medication at a time. This means that people who are already worn down by trying to live demanding lives despite having chronic pain must go through hoops more than once per week to get their medication. They will have days where they cannot access their medication due to this burden.

If you were in charge, what would you do about the opioid crisis? How would your policy impact chronic pain patients and others who have legitimate need for opioids?