US hospital cuts painkiller gateway to heroin addiction Parts of the US are suffering from what’s been called an epidemic of prescription drug addiction, with the singer Prince one of its most famous victims. Over-prescription of opium-like drugs is partly responsible, with doctors often handing out incredibly strong painkillers for minor ailments. Now, a New Jersey hospital is trying a different approach, prescribing opioids only in the most severe cases in a bid to cut dependency. A voiced AFPTV report