State Approaches to Addressing the Overdose Epidemic: Public Health Focus Needed

J Law Med Ethics. 2019 Jun;47(2_suppl):43-46. doi: 10.1177/1073110519857315.

Abstract

States have implemented a variety of legal and policy approaches to address the overdose epidemic. Some approaches, like increasing access to naloxone and connecting overdose survivors with evidence-based treatment, have a strong public health foundation and a compelling evidence base. Others, like increasing reliance on punitive criminal justice approaches, have neither. This article examines law and policy changes that are likely to be effective in reducing overdose-related harm as well as those that are likely to increase it.

MeSH terms

  • Criminal Law / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Drug Overdose / prevention & control*
  • Epidemics / prevention & control*
  • Humans
  • Public Health
  • Public Policy / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • State Government
  • United States / epidemiology