Abstract | BACKGROUND:
Naloxone is a drug that reverses opioid overdose. Naloxone Access Laws (NALs) increase public access to naloxone and have been considered as one promising solution to reducing opioid-related harm. However, previous studies on whether NALs are effective in reducing opioid overdose mortality found somewhat contradictory results. Our study attempts to provide a more definitive answer to this question by utilizing an approach that matches NAL vs non-NAL states and stratifies by US region and years of implementation. Methods: We assess the causal impact of NALs on state-level opioid-related mortality rate by constructing a comparison group using matching to produce a valid counterfactual scenario, and estimating the effects of NAL using a semi-dynamic staggered difference in differences (DID) model that allows heterogeneous effects across regions and years of implementation. State-level opioid-related mortality data from CDC's WONDER database and NALs effective from 1999 to 2014 were utilized. Results: We find that NAL effects have reduced fatal opioid-related overdose in western states and have produced minimal or no effects for other regions. Conclusions: The effects of NALs vary across regions and years of implementation. It is important to study the successful experience of the western states.
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Authors | Guido Cataife, Jing Dong, Corey S Davis |
Journal | Substance abuse
(Subst Abus)
Vol. 42
Issue 3
Pg. 329-338
( 2021)
ISSN: 1547-0164 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 31951788
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Analgesics, Opioid
- Narcotic Antagonists
- Naloxone
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Topics |
- Analgesics, Opioid
(therapeutic use)
- Drug Overdose
(drug therapy)
- Humans
- Naloxone
(therapeutic use)
- Narcotic Antagonists
(therapeutic use)
- Opiate Overdose
(drug therapy)
- Opioid-Related Disorders
(drug therapy)
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