My instinct is that a lot of the problems that America is seeing are as a result of wider cultural issues. The Oregon increase in opioid deaths is really worrying but again it's mostly a result of people not realising their drugs are mixed with fentanyl, which is why I think we need a regulated market.

Also, the link between poverty, trauma and addiction needs to be explored. Both in the UK and USA there is an emerging underclass who are ignored, marginalised and unemployed which creates an environment where addiction is rife with very little help to support those people.

I share your concerns but I think it's a bigger problem than drugs.