Abuse-Deterrent Opioids and the Law of Unintended Consequences

The United States has seen a surge in deaths from overdoses of opioids, including both prescription drugs and illegal opioids such as heroin. In the hope of reducing opioid use, abuse, and overdoses, policymakers have focused on developing and promoting tamper-resistant or abuse-deterrent formulations (ADFs) that render diverted opioids unusable if individuals attempt to use them for nonmedical (i.e., recreational) purposes. A new paper from surgeon and Cato scholar Jeffrey A. Singer argues that these efforts are producing unintended consequences, such as making legal pain relief unaffordable for many patients and possibly increasing morbidity and mortality.

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