The release of abuse-deterrent OxyContin and adolescent heroin use.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the association between the abuse-deterrent reformulation of OxyContin and adolescent lifetime heroin use in the United States.

METHODS:

The quasi-experimental study uses individual survey data from the 1999-2019 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System to examine whether the reformulation of OxyContin in August 2010 affected adolescent lifetime heroin use, exploiting heterogeneity in state-level rates of OxyContin misuse before the reformulation. Multiple regression analysis adjusted for state and year fixed effects, adolescent demographics, and time-varying state characteristics and policies.

RESULTS:

The release of the abuse-deterrent reformulation of OxyContin was associated with a reduction in adolescents reporting ever using heroin. An adolescent in a state with a one percentage point higher state-level rate of pre-reformulation OxyContin misuse was 1.7% points less likely to report ever using heroin after the reformulation (95% confidence interval, [(CI) = -0.007, -0.027]). These effects are strongest for adolescent males (estimate: -0.028, [(CI) = -0.016, 0.040]) and non-whites (estimate: -0.021, [(CI) = -0.005, -0.037]).

CONCLUSIONS:

These results suggest the release of abuse-deterrent OxyContin is associated with a decrease in the likelihood of adolescent lifetime heroin use in states with higher pre-reformulation rates of OxyContin misuse. Pharmaceutical innovations and policies that reduce the likelihood of prescription opioid misuse may be effective in reducing adolescent lifetime heroin use.

• Authors: Michael DiNardi
• Journal: Drug and alcohol dependence (Drug Alcohol Depend) Vol. 229 Issue Pt B Pg. 109114 (12 01 2021) ISSN: 1879-0046 [Electronic] Ireland
• PMID: 34638038 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Analgesics, Opioid
• Heroin
• Oxycodone

Topics

• Adolescent
• Analgesics, Opioid
• Heroin
• Humans
• Male
• Opioid-Related Disorders (epidemiology)
• Oxycodone
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• United States (epidemiology)