In this photo illustration, bottles of the generic prescription pain medication Buprenorphine are seen in a pharmacy on February 4, 2014 in Boca Raton, Florida. The narcotic drug is used as an alternative to Methadone to help addicts recovering from heroin use.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
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Joe Raedle/Getty Images
In the US, about a quarter of a million people die each year from alcohol and drug-related illness, despite proven medical treatments for addiction.
So why aren’t doctors prescribing them more?
This episode was produced by Liz Baker and Kathryn Fink, with audio engineering by Ted Mebane.
It was edited by Maureen Pao and Tinbete Ermyas.
Our director is Elena Moore, and our executive producer is Courtney Dorning.
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