With opioids so easy to get, it’s no wonder we have a crisis

As we baby boomers mature, oftentimes our health heads south.

Some time ago a friend’s elevated cholesterol necessitated a prescription called Crestor. She used it for one month and did not notice any physical change.

Since she was borderline and had many more uses for the $125 monthly copay, she discontinued its usage. (Fortunately, a couple of years passed and the borderline numbers were adjusted, putting her numbers once again in the safe category.)

Recently, another friend was having knee issues — pain and swelling, bone popping sounds, etc.

Her physician diagnosed it as maturation and prescribed Tramadol for pain. This particular prescription was reasonably priced at a mere $2.92 copay for 100 tablets.

Discovering that Tramadol is “a strong prescription pain medicine that contains an opioid” she decided the benefits certainly did not outweigh the hazards. Happy to report that her knee is now back to normal and pain-free.

When opioids are so readily available and so inexpensive, it’s no wonder we have an issue with drug addiction. Marj Mackenzie, Phoenix

The people should sue Pruitt to recoup the cost of all his perks

Can we U.S. taxpayers sue former EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt for reimbursement of the millions of dollars he spent on his 24/7 security, first-class commercial flights, military and charter flights and sound-proof phone booth? Cynthia Harrod, Mesa

Apparently the Republicans are good at whipping up hysteria

I was almost amused by Mark Gerton’s Thursday letter (“The left wants to destroy our institutions and our beliefs”).

Mr. Gerton writes that “apologist liars” (liberals) are incapable of “rational thought.”

That they are “hysterical” and “insane.” That they want to “destroy every ... moral and religious belief, every law.” And he is “sick and tired of hearing” it! Excuse me, Mr. Gerton. Were you saying something about hysteria? Marcia Mackey, Payson

We need to get serious about texting and driving ... and ban it

People are not paying attention when they driving, leading to more pedestrian fatalities.

The next time you’re caught at a red light, look around and see how many in the cars next to you are texting and using their cell phones.

It’s amazing! Infrastructure and engineering changes may help.

But the bottom line is that people need to pay attention when they drive.

The police should also be stepping up enforcement in this area.

It’s time to take the situation seriously and our Arizona lawmakers need to outlaw texting and driving.

The police departments have taken enforcement of DUI’S very seriously.

It’s probably time that they took texting and driving as seriously. Scott Wilkins, Gilbert