Scientists at Tulane University and the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System are working on a new painkiller that would be safer and not be addictive. Research like this should give everyone hope.

There are a number of promising drugs in development, such as this one, that could replace the current type of opioids. The new class of drugs are just as powerful but are not nearly as addictive, nor do they cause respiratory depression.

Our Congressmen and CDC would be doing the country a great service if they could find a way to accelerate the development of these drugs.

Not all of the drugs in development will likely prove to be safe and effective, but some probably will. Safer and more effective therapies will help people with persistent pain and prevent the addictions seen with the current type of opioids. Why wouldn’t we want this to happen?