In all of this, to me, it largely comes down to the filling of some sort of void/pain/loss in the human heart/soul/spirit/life, with "something," instead of finding out how and why that void exists and how especially American life keeps this void empty while selling us bullshit to fill it.

That might seem superficial or simplistic, but I think the worldwide polls/studies of where people are happiest is a clue to what is going on.

Also, I think years ago when the old Saturday Night Live skit of "take a pill" is an insight into this human factor - what I'm getting at is instead of humans allowing to be biological humans, we are told and sold that life can be perfect and there is a consumerist way to get there, i.e., "buy my shit".

And when it comes to solving this issue in America, I think until this country is willing to make deep, fundamental changes in its make up and philosophy, then it is not even going to come close to being solved.

As a country, we have to face that American life is not about a true quality of life. This country has no value based meaning that does not include the valueless pursuit of wealth and things.

We put more value on a goddamned smartphone than we do sitting down with an elderly relative and talking and listening to that relative.

I don't know about everyone else, but one of my struggles and pursuits right now is to find my own inner contentment in life and with life.

And until we can discover why these people are filling their pains and voids with these substances and as Reg points out, deal with the vultures capitalizing off of their pain and suffering, not much else is going to change.