The document discusses the pros and cons of painkillers, noting that a study in West Virginia found that nearly 2 out of 3 accidental deaths involved painkillers, indicating the potential dangers of misuse. While painkillers are useful for treating pain, their misuse can cost lives, as the drugs carry risks of addiction and overdose. The key issue raised is whether the benefits of painkillers outweigh the costs of the lives lost from their misuse.