USA practices in many states would get a European doctor or nurse nicked and struck off; there are some shocking double standards with regard to “off label prescribing”; although others seem to be moving towards the European model (you can see this from the posts of desparate addicts on here who move area and can’t find the same kind of “doctor” who will write out a script for anything).
there are big warnings against prescribing in this manner in all official medical books. it used to happen in until the 1970s, but there were a lot of fatal ODs and greater healh problems which threatened the existence of the NHS at a time of political turmoil.
A lot of the diverted use pills turned up in the villages near me, hundreds of km across the World. Certainly the patients at my work only get given opiates if they are in pain, and the stocks of them are kept under high security. Those who are well enough to stay at home do get carers sent to them but the NHS only prescribes a much more limited doses and strength; no one wants to risk a family losing their grandparents earlier because of an accidental (or deliberate) overdose.
On another matter I do feel that too many people are forced (often by their own religious beliefs rather than family) to stay alive as long as possible when most of their body/mind has had it and they realise it themselves.
its interesting to note that in NL and BE where they have euthanasia available (in spite of strong religious beliefs in both countries, majority religion is Roman Catholicism) the elderly care is some of the best in Europe and there are plenty of patients to fill the homes and retirement villages, who seem much happier than those in the UK. And there are so many of these places (I think when a rural village population ends up with 70% seniors they just declare it a “retirement village” and equip it with bases for carers, nurses and other healthcare staff; I suspect it is relatively easy to try out experimental treatments there via nearby teaching hospitals and universities.
Which is another reason why I learn Dutch, as I can emigrate there when I retire (hopefully around early 60s) before too many things start going wrong with me. For me this is less than 20 years away…
