“A controversial new study about access to naloxone – a life-saving treatment for opioid overdose – that concludes the treatment fails to reduce deaths or addiction has sparked intense debate by scientists over the report’s methodology and credibility. For public health advocates, it provides an opportunity for a much-needed discussion about how to reduce the human toll of the overdose crisis.
The study, by researchers Jennifer Doleac and Anita Mukherjee, investigated whether increased access to naloxone has reduced the “crime” of opioid “abuse” or decreased mortality rates from overdose. They conclude that increased access to naloxone has done neither. In fact, they claim that their study shows that naloxone has contributed to increased opioid use and use of riskier opioid substances such as fentanyl.”
Read more at: https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/03/13/us-study-linking-opioid-overdose-treatment-crime-asks-wrong-question
Source: HRW.org – March13, 2018
See related article on overdoses: A Lifesaving Drug for Overdoses Doesn’t Reduce Opioid Deaths? Be Skeptical. available at: https://www.vox.com/the-big-idea/2018/3/13/17115558/naloxone-opioid-overdoses-deaths-theft-moral-hazard-study
