It's the use of "epidemic" that I have an issue with. See the definition in the comments.

The majority of today's opioid addicts started out taking prescription pain killers for legitimate reasons. They got addicted and started buying the pills on the street if they couldn't find a legit doctor to write another prescription.

They will go and find their opioid of choice on the street for $30-$50 a pill. When they dry up all their resources they often turn to heroin because it is only $10 a hit.

Half of the places advertised as "pain management clinics" are fronts for crooked doctors who sell prescriptions for cash to junkies and dealers.

I'm not saying the junkie has no responsibility or that more government regulation and laws (which are funded by tax payers) will help. But it is a serious problem with more people to share the blame than just the junkies. The average citizen is really just one misused prescription away from the same fate.

It's not like someone sneezed a wad of heroin into your veins.

"a widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time."

...and many more...just google it

I agree with you. They use hot button words to sound sexy. The sheeple don't know what to think anyway. I'm glad you pointed it out. :)