The powerful pull of opioids leaves many ‘missing’ from U.S. workforce

Jonathan Guffey, 32, has spent more than half his life hooked on opioids. He currently works with his family in construction, but his job history is pockmarked by addiction. (Photo by Seth Herald for NPR)
Jonathan Guffey has chiseled youthful looks and, at 32, does not have the haggard bearing of someone who has spent more than half his life hooked on opioids. That stint with the drug started at 15 and ended — he says for good — 22 months ago. He has a job working with his family in