The "opioid scourge" and government intervention: full of sound and fury (and sound bites, empty gestures, and taxpayer dollars) destined to accomplish nothing. The “opioid scourge” has become the disease du jour in the media and in statehouses and courthouses nationwide (See Vermont, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Baltimore et al.).                    In 2014 Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin devoted his annual address to Vermont’s opioid epidemic. State lawmakers appropriated $760,000 to fund his initiatives to steer low-level lawbreakers with drug addictions into treatment rather than jail.  These diversionary programs differ in minor details but generally people committing crimes indicative of drug addiction are encouraged to enroll in a substance abuse program in lieu of prosecution. The assumed benefits are to reduce the stigma associated with...(Read Full Article)