The Baloney Detection Kit

The Quartz website had a post about Sagan's baloney detection kit (see here).  It is essentially a layman's version of the scientific method.  We will be using it as we examine the causes and consequences of the opioid crisis.  What is really happening?  Who caused it?  How do you eliminate it?  More law enforcement?  Legalization of all narcotic drugs?  Less prescribing of narcotics? 

The essence of Sagan's method can be found in the answers to these questions:

1. How reliable is the source of the claim?
2. Does the source make similar claims?
3. Have the claims been verified by somebody else?
4. Does this fit with the way the world works?
5. Has anyone tried to disprove the claim?
6. Where does the preponderance of evidence point?
7. Is the claimant playing by the rules of science?
8. Is the claimant providing positive evidence?
9. Does the new theory account for as many phenomena as the old theory?
10. Are personal beliefs driving the claim?   (see here for source of list