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Regulating Opioids The opioid crisis has become one of America's most scary public health challenges, necessitating the need for immediate attention. Statistics by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveal that the number of people who died from opioids in 2021 was more than six times higher than the number that died from the same issue in 1999 (Manchikanti et al. 97). The statistics also reveal that the number of people who died due to drug overdose increased by more than 16% in 2021 relative to 2020. 75% of the drug overdose cases reported in 2021 were attributed to opioid use. As the crisis aggravates, so does the social-economic framework of American society compromised due to the related opioid dependency. This dependency has been aggravated by the unregulated access to opioids so that the drugs can freely be accessed over the counter and consumed without a medical prescription from a licensed practitioner. What if the access to the substances fueling this crisis was strictly regulated? Undoubtedly, abuse of opioids would be reduced, and the public health crisis of opioid addiction would be managed. Therefore, the government should declare unregulated over-the-counter access to opioids illegal, as opioids significantly increase health risks and aggravate the public health crisis of opioid addiction. The article "The Opioid Crisis and Recent Federal Policy Responses” defines opioids as a class of drugs known for their pain-relieving properties (McCance-Katz et al. 1).. In contrast, the drugs have valid clinical applications, they also correspond to adverse health implications characterized by a high potential for addiction and overdose. The unregulated use of opioids has manifested into a public health crisis that has been building up over the years. Ideally, the United States has been grappling with the opioid crisis since the mid-1990s. The battle against opioid abuse and addiction has been faced with resistance, increasing healthcare costs, and a rising
2 curve of morbidity and mortality rates. A report by the Congressional Budget Office cited in the article reveals that the misuse of opioids has led to over 500,000 deaths since 2000, with numbers surging during the COVID-19 pandemic (McCance-Katz et al. 1-3). This crisis cannot be expounded by just a series of statistics but also through a reflection of lost lives, broken families, and a strained public health system. The most practical solution to solving the public health issue related to the abuse of opioids and the corresponding addiction is a restriction of accessing such drugs as fentanyl, morphine, and methadone. The government should declare unregulated over-the-counter access to opioids illegal to mitigate opioid use and addiction. This would have the long-term implication of reversing the pubic health rising trends of opioids related deaths and increasing healthcare costs. The direct correlation between the availability of these drugs and the rise in addiction and overdose deaths solidifies the case for stringent regulation of opioid access. Initially, the crisis was fueled by an increase in the prescribing of opioids, driven by aggressive marketing by pharmaceutical companies and a healthcare system that incentivized their use (Pieters 320-333). This laid the groundwork for widespread addiction, leading to the current scenario where illicitly manufactured opioids, such as fentanyl, have become the epicenter of the crisis due to their influence, accessibility, and low cost. One of the primary arguments for tighter control over opioid access is the rising trend of the crisis's impact on public health and the economy. Besides, the injection of opioids has not only led to a rise in overdose deaths but has also facilitated the spread of diseases like hepatitis C and HIV (McCance-Katz et al. 29-30). This can be explained by the likelihood of sharing needles to administer opioids and the corresponding euphoric feeling that increases the likelihood of victims engaging in risky sexual behaviors. Furthermore, the economic toll due to
3 the opioid crisis is significant. The crisis has manifested in increased healthcare spending and lost productivity due to addiction. Such implications emphasize the urgency of regulating overthe-counter access to opioids to prevent further escalation of the crisis. Opponents of stricter regulation might argue that opioids have legitimate medical uses and that access should not be overly restricted (McCann 313). They may also suggest that the focus should be on treatment for those already addicted rather than on limiting access. While it is true that opioids have empirically proven clinical benefits such as numbing pain, the overwhelming evidence of harm caused by unregulated access to opioids necessitates a proactive approach to prevent addiction before it starts. Effective regulation can coexist with measures to ensure that those in genuine need continue to have access to necessary pain management. This suggests an integration of both preventive and curative strategies to prevent abuse of opioids while at the same reducing the harm from people who are already victims. In conclusion, the opioid crisis demands prompt government intervention to prevent further cases of opioid addiction and the corresponding social and economic implications. The government’s duty to protect public health justifies the need for strict regulation of opioid access. Making unregulated over-the-counter access illegal is a significant step in mitigating the opioid crisis and laying the basis for a healthier and sustainable future. Works Cited Manchikanti, Laxmaiah, et al. "Fourth wave of opioid (illicit drug) overdose deaths and diminishing access to prescription opioids and interventional techniques: cause and effect." Pain Physician 25.2 2023: 97.
4 McCance-Katz, Elinore, et al. "The federal response to the opioid crisis." Testimony to Congressional Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions 2022. Retrieved from file:///C:/Users/k/Documents/58221-opioid-crisis.pdf McCann, Joshua D. "Do no good: how controlled substance regulations prohibit the use of telemedicine to provide medication-assisted therapy for opioid use disorder." Tulsa L. Rev. 56 2020: 313. Pieters, Toine. "The imperative of regulation: the co-creation of a medical and non-medical US opioid crisis." Psychoactive 2.4 2023: 317–336.