** Forum: Veterans, others need alternatives in pain management

Raymond Miller's article highlights the critical issue of opioid addiction among veterans due to service-related injuries and pain management challenges. He shares personal experiences and those of fellow service members, noting the escalation of opioid reliance into addiction, with over 294,000 deaths from prescription opioid overdoses in the U. S. from 1999 to 2022. The article points out a 53% increase in overdose deaths among veterans during the 2010s, calling for immediate action.

Miller commends Washington state's efforts, including the $1 billion secured by Attorney General Bob Ferguson to combat the opioid crisis and the expansion of overdose reversal treatments. However, he emphasizes that comprehensive federal legislation, such as the Alternatives to Prevent Addiction In the Nation (PAIN) Act, is essential for making non-opioid pain management options affordable for veterans. He concludes with a call to support the bill, highlighting the need for safe and effective pain management alternatives to save lives.