I disagree. Look at Portugal, which decriminalized opioid use and started viewing it as a treatable medical condition. They went from the highest to one of the lowest rates of opioid use in Europe.
That is what makes the USA unique - it's almost impossible to be prescribed strong opiates anywhere else in the world, let alone to be told that they're safe.
You know something is prevalent when the drugs to treat its side effects are worthy of prime time advertising.
Well, we're one of only two countries in the world that allow direct to consumer advertising for drugs at all, so your statement is probably true.
(New Zealand is the other one for those curious, with Canada having some limited things they allow).