How do restrictions on opioid prescribing, harm reduction, and treatment coverage policies relate to opioid overdose deaths in the United States in 2013–2020? An application of a new state opioid policy scale

Original research

Doonan, Samantha M. et al

Release Date

2025

Geography

USA

Language of Resource

English

Full Text Available

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

Peer Reviewed

Yes

Objective

Identifying the most effective state laws and provisions to reduce opioid overdose deaths remains critical.

Findings/Key points

More robust state harm reduction policy scores were associated with reduced overdose risk, adjusting for other policy domains. Harmful associations with opioid prescribing restrictions in 2013–2016 may reflect early unintended consequences of these laws. Medicaid coverage domain findings did not align with experts’ perceptions, though data limitations precluded inclusion of several highly ranked Medicaid policies.

Design/methods

Using expert ratings of opioid laws, we developed annual state scores for three domains: opioid prescribing restrictions, harm reduction, and Medicaid treatment coverage.

doi.org

Keywords

Harm reduction

Overdose

Opioids

Policy/Regulatory