This article is a red herring for it assumes that we must, at all costs keep the opioid economy growing. On the contrary, we must seek to eliminate the opioid economy. Diversion of opioids costs the nation $55 billiona annually. Two reports last year-one from ahrq and an independent study from NIH- showed there is little evidence for the effectiveness of opioids for noncancer pain-despite 12000 RCT's. Opioids not only lead to addiction and hyperalgesia, but still births, endocrine disorders, spread cancer, cause sleep disorders and lower immunity. It is unfortunate politicians and journalists seek to promote their own interests instead of being discerning when it comes to opioids.