Working Paper: NBER ID: w23171
Authors: Daniel I. Rees; Joseph J. Sabia; Laura M. Argys; Joshua Latshaw; Dhaval Dave
Abstract: In an effort to address the opioid epidemic, a majority of states have recently passed some version of a Naloxone Access Law (NAL) and/or a Good Samaritan Law (GSL). NALs allow lay persons to administer naloxone, which temporarily counteracts the effects of an opioid overdose; GSLs provide immunity from prosecution for drug possession to anyone who seeks medical assistance in the event of a drug overdose. This study is the first to examine the effect of these laws on opioid-related deaths. Using data from the National Vital Statistics System multiple cause-of-death mortality files for the period 1999-2014, we find that the adoption of a NAL is associated with a 9 to 11 percent reduction in opioid-related deaths. The estimated effect of GLSs on opioid-related deaths is of comparable magnitude, but not statistically significant at conventional levels. Finally, we find that neither NALs nor GSLs increase the recreational use of prescription painkillers.
Keywords: Naloxone; Good Samaritan Laws; Opioid Overdose; Public Health
JEL Codes: H0; I1; K0
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| naloxone access laws (NALs) (K16) | opioid-related deaths (I12) |
| removing criminal liability for possession of naloxone (K49) | opioid-related deaths (I12) |
| good Samaritan laws (GSLs) (K13) | opioid-related deaths (I12) |
| naloxone access laws (NALs) (K16) | recreational use of prescription painkillers (Q26) |
| good Samaritan laws (GSLs) (K13) | recreational use of prescription painkillers (Q26) |