Pandora's pill bottle: Opioids in rural America

Pandora's box was a large jar given to Pandora that contained all of the world's evils. She unleashed it all when she opened the jar. Only hope was left inside the jar.Communities across the country are looking for hopeful approaches to combat what has spilled out of pill bottles: The scourge of opioid addiction that has become the modern-day Pandora's box.Putting the problem back in the jar -- or bottle -- may be impossible.Victims of opioid addiction often appear faceless and nameless in a national tragedy that buries families in stigma.The victims can be any family member, friend, neighbor or co-worker, of any generation, in urban as well as rural America, lost to a crisis still on the rise nationally.DTN is launching this special series for a closer look at the impact of opioid addiction on rural America, how it became such a big problem, and what is being done about opioids.Ultimately, is there still hope left inside Pandora's pill bottle?Rural America is a key battlefront where the crisis is growing. At the same time, the agriculture-based economy continues to struggle and lacks the resources to support needed healthcare infrastructure improvements and growth. Agriculture-based rural America is the center of a perfect opioid storm -- the risk of injury and need for pain relief may be greater while working on farms than in any other occupation."In rural areas, people are more likely engaged in occupations prone to injury," Kolodny said.He said doctors across the country have become increasingly likely to prescribe opioids rather than non-addictive alternatives to patients.