First few Article Sentences
In the last seven years the entire country's attitude toward opioid prescription medication has done a complete reversal from encouraging usage to one of demanding abstinence. The federal government is now actively engaged in criminal and civil enforcement against manufacturers, pharmacists and prescribers of opioid medication. State professional boards and legislatures are seeking to restrict access to medications in an effort to curb what has been labeled the "opioid crisis." Those healthcare professionals not taking precautionary measures are now at risk for significant criminal and professional penalties.