United States | Seeking the perfect prescription

Some good news from the fight against opioids

But some bad news too

SOME 382,000 Americans have overdosed on opioids—a group of drugs that includes prescription painkillers, heroin and synthetics—since the year 2000. That is greater than the number of American combat deaths in the second world war and the Korean and Vietnam wars combined. Despite this epic toll, there are early signs that at least one battle may be ending.

This article appeared in the United States section of the print edition under the headline “Seeking the right prescription”

Handle with care

From the June 2nd 2018 edition

Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents

Explore the edition

More from United States

Migrants from Mexico and Guatemala are apprehended by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officers after crossing a section of border wall into the U.S.

Donald Trump cries “invasion” to justify an immigration crackdown

His first immigration executive orders range from benign to belligerent

US President Donald Trump throws pens to the crowd after signing executive orders during the inaugural parade inside Capital One Arena, in Washington

The new American imperialism

Donald Trump is the first president in more than 100 years to call for new American territory—including Mars


Inauguration Ceremony Rehearsal Takes Place In Nation's Capital, Washington DC, USA.

The beginning of the end of the Trump era

The new president is more confident, and radical, than ever—and also more accepted


Pam Bondi seems like a relatively safe pair of hands

But is America’s next attorney-general an independent operator?

Checks and Balance newsletter: Joe Biden’s farewell shot at the oligarchy

The outgoing president warns of a new “tech-industrial complex”

A protest against America’s TikTok ban is mired in contradiction

Another Chinese app is not the alternative some young Americans think it is