The U.S. opioid epidemic began nearly three years ago after pharmaceutical companies introduced what they promised would be a less addictive form of opioid.

Last month, a federal judge ordered the release of a federal database that details how pharma companies saturated the market, creating the nation’s deadliest drug epidemic. The widespread use of those pills is growing around the world.

CGTN’s Jim Spellman reports.

Follow Jim Spellman on Twitter @jimspellmanTV

To discuss all of this:

• Kate Tulenko is the CEO of Corvus Health.
• Ryan Hampton is a former opioid addict and activist – and author of “American Fix: Inside the Opioid Addiction Crisis – and How to End It.”
• Keith Humphreys is a professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University.
• Bradley Stein is the senior physician policy researcher at the Rand Corporation.

For more:

"In under six years, fatal overdoses from synthetic opioids have increased tenfold while remaining concentrated in certain states." – from @RANDCorporation study https://t.co/Sm4QnYZ59p pic.twitter.com/Xq7lttKJao

— Pew Research Fact Tank (@FactTank) August 13, 2019

In southwest Virginia, those devastated by the opioid crisis are demanding accountability after a previously unreleased government database reveals just how many drugs flooded their towns. https://t.co/atA7cXDBOq

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) August 12, 2019

Experts expect to eventually see the virus seep into every state. https://t.co/gcXR8oRK8M

— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) August 10, 2019