An only slightly less jokey answer is that Opioids are legal prescription drugs in the USA as the manufacturers were able to convince legislators that the slow-release composition of the drug molecules were less addictive than regular opiates. Turns out they are addictive, and the Sachlers deserve every misfortune for ten generations. Several times, bills have been introduced to punish them for the transgressions, but so far they’ve only been made to pay billions in settlements.
An only slightly less jokey answer is that Opioids are legal prescription drugs in the USA as the manufacturers were able to convince legislators that the slow-release composition of the drug molecules were less addictive than regular opiates. Turns out they are addictive, and the Sachlers deserve every misfortune for ten generations. Several times, bills have been introduced to punish them for the transgressions, but so far they’ve only been made to pay billions in settlements.