Medical use of opioids: What drives the debate? A brief commentary

Medical advances have not obviated the need for opioids to relieve pain and suffering. There are no better analgesics. Pain and suffering have not abated. Scientific endeavor has helped unravel some of the mechanisms of pain and addiction; yet the compelling and addictive properties of opioids continue to plague their use. This article explores the factors that drive the current debate about the use of opioids to relieve the suffering of patients with chronic intractable pain.