1) Doctors prescribe opiates like candy to anyone who has anything that resembles pain. It takes next to nothing to get prescribed opiates if you find the right quack.
2) People get addicted to the pain pills
3) People get so addicted to the pain pills that they struggle to hold a job
4) Addicts no longer have insurance so pain pills are now unaffordable
5) Addicts switch to heroin because it's cheaper
6) They OD and that's that
1A) Kids steal their parent's pain pills
I've seen it numerous times with people my age, younger, older, etc.