I am not advocating anything illegal, and I hope nobody here has direct personal knowledge. That said, I have some questions. I think the subject impacts all of us on several levels.

The Afghan opium crops are supposed to be running at an all time high, but I don't see many news stories about heroin or opium supply and/or use. In the news stories about illegal pharmaceutical drug use, it is almost universally implied that when heroin supplies dry up, junkies turn to pharmaceuticals. Doesn't this imply that pharmaceuticals are less potent/more expensive/more difficult to obtain?? I am just wondering how 10 dollars in street heroin compares to 10 dollars in norcos from an OP. Obviously, it is not a good idea to turn to street drugs for the aleviation of pain. But, I'd just like to know.

sometimes I wonder if it might be a secret government policy to move pain patients in that direction, so they can be better controlled ie, felons. I'm already quite sure that the government wants as many felons as possible. Citizens with guns and votes are just too much trouble, they aren't as easy to push around as felons.