I am aware, first hand, of a number of young adults who have become addicted to opioids after having been prescribed them for pain. Many have died. IV heroin use is the path many addicts tend to take once doctors and pharmacies no longer prescribe to them. Every addict I know or have spoken with indicates a genuine desire to “get off” opioids, but also has no viable means to do so. Once addicted, jobs and families and support systems fall away, and the route to treatment becomes obscured, unavailable, or otherwise impossible.

Virginia Consumer Healthcare Alliance must advocate that effective treatment modalities be provided those without adequate insurance coverage. Also, health insurance should be required to cover such treatment. Furthermore, more treatment centers with both in-patient and out-patient programs, as well as follow up options and support for sober living, should be promoted.