Sheriffs in North Carolina — which too often means their brother-uncle-cousin deputies — do not need prescription painkiller records from pharmacies. Ever.

What kind of actionable information could possibly be contained in 53.5 million prescriptions? Doctor shopping? Doctors and pharmacies are already supposed to be policing that angle. If they are not, bring charges for drug trafficking. Otherwise, you know where providing this sort of info directly to law enforcement would end.

With some meaty deputy banging on your door, demanding that you account for the pills you received from your doctor the day before.