Abstract
Opioids, in legal and illegal forms, have caused a huge loss of human life, particularly in Massachusetts in the past decade. Despite cries for expanded care and treatment, the number of overdoses and deaths continues to rise. This crisis affects every area of our community and as the problem seeps into the suburbs from the city, the crisis changes shape and captures the attention of a new group of individuals, those with power and influence. An issue that was tolerated and mitigated now becomes one that must be solved. This study attempts to examine the cultural politics of the rise in opioid drug use in Massachusetts within the complex framework of power and dominance and its connection to societal hegemony. Viewing this issue in real time, as the Commonwealth and its citizens react to the daily assaults in the addiction and death of its young people, will contribute to the collective knowledge of the historical, sociological, physical, political and economic factors at hand. In order to study this issue I have reviewed the historical treatment of addicts, particularly those addicted to opioids, in the literature and review the many theories associated with this public health issue. I have followed the current, fast-paced attempts by private entities and the government to mitigate this growing addictism. I conclude that as long as the ruling class has a personal stake in the issue, the public conversations will continue and solutions will be generated by Big Pharma and government all with the goal of creating a market-based care matrix which temporarily helps the addict but reclassifies her in a space that is "other"..