Pharmaceutical companies lied to doctors and patients about how addictive opioids are.
Every single opiod, from opium itself, to heroin, to morphine, etc. Has been promised to be non addictive. How many times can you believe the same lie before you hold some responsibility for the outcome?
Then, a series of studies concluded that many people are living with untreated chronic pain;
Which is still true. In fact, the reason for this is at least partly because of fear of addiction, so they too cautiously don't treat pain at all.
But no one wants to admit, not doctors nor pharmaceutical companies, that medicine doesn't have a viable solution to the most basic of medical problems.
Obama might be an exception. The people elected Bernie Sanders, twice. Not Biden.