People are dying because of ignorance, not because of opioids

One simple solution is to offer free, anonymous drug-purity testing services
Scientific American (US)
November 2017

The vast majority of opioid users do not become addicts. Users’ chances of becoming addicted increase if they are white, male, young and unemployed and if they have co-occurring psychiatric disorders. That is why it is critical to conduct a thorough assessment of patients entering treatment, paying particular attention to these factors rather than simply focusing on the unrealistic goal of eliminating opioids. In many countries, including Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark, opioid treatment may include daily injections of heroin along with treating the patient's medical and psychosocial issues. These patients hold jobs, pay taxes and live long, healthy, productive lives.