Well, if it doesn't suppress breathing dangerously, and yet works on "pain" effectively, it would be the most widely abused drug on the planet...
I don't understand the scare quotes. Do you think pain doesn't exist? Do you think pain shouldn't be treated?
What is it you're actually trying to say without having to say it?
People are going to abuse drugs. Making them less deadly is only a good thing, unless you want more dead addicts.