Are more Americans doomed like prince?

• Position: Opioid Painkillers - Brief article

Opioid painkillers are a leading cause of death by overdose, killing more Americans than heroin. The most commonly abused pain relievers are oxycodone, oxycontin, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, and oxymorphone--each creates a euphoric sensation similar to heroin.

Devin McCrossan, cofounder of Constellations Recovery, Westchester County, N.Y., lists symptoms of addiction to these drugs, which include:

* Increasing the dosage of pain reliever drugs over time by yourself; building tolerance towards a drug.

* Continual usage of medications even after the prescribed period is over.

* Withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness, nausea, sweating, depression, shaking, insomnia, and anxiety.

* Experiencing blackouts and forgetting about people, places, or things easily.

* Blurred vision.

* Sounds and emotions become overly stimulating.

* Becoming...