American overdose: the opioid tragedy in three acts

Introduction: An epidemic foretold

Act I: Dealing. The undertaker ; Junk science ; Pilliamson ; The sales pitch ; What they knew ; Investigation ; Vital sign

Act II: Hooked. A loaded gun in the suicide ward ; Paying to play ; Pursuit ; The silence ; Pushback ; Sounding the alarm ; Kermit ; A free pass ; The end of days

Act III: Withdrawal. The public health ; Russian roulette ; Dodging torpedoes ; The national nightmare ; Guilt.