The opioid epidemic has had a significant economic impact on the United States. The costs of treating opioid addiction and overdoses have increased

Key Highlights :

1. The opioid epidemic has had a significant impact on labor force participation in the United States, with regions with higher exposure to opioid prescriptions experiencing significant declines in labor force participation.

2. Incarceration for offenses related to illicit opioids likely also contributes to the decrease in labor force participation caused by the opioid epidemic.

3. The opioid epidemic has had a significant impact on occupational injury rates and access to paid sick leave, two factors that can lead to increased opioid use and opioid-related health problems.

     There is strong evidence that the opioid epidemic has reduced labor force participation in the United States. While use of prescription opioids aimed at pain management for some individuals may enhance their ability to work, the widespread misuse of opioids has resulted in an epidemic of opioid use disorders (OUD), labor supply disruptions, and unprecedented levels of opioid-related deaths.

     In a study published in the journal Health Affairs, researchers analyzed data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 2002 to 2016 to determine the relationship between opioid use disorders and labor force participation. The study found that there was a significant decline in labor force participation among adults with an OUD, from 11.3% in 2002 to 6.9% in 2016.

     The study also found that there was a significant decline in labor force participation among adults with an OUD who were employed, from 48.4% in 2002 to 34.4% in 2016. The decline was even more significant among employed adults who had an OUD who were not in the labor force, from 54.7% in 2002 to 29.6% in 2016.

     The study authors note that the decline in labor force participation among adults with an OUD may be due to the increased difficulty they have in finding and keeping jobs due to their OUD, as well as the impact of their OUD on their ability to work. The study authors note that the decline in labor force participation among adults with an OUD may be due to the increased difficulty they have in finding and keeping jobs due to their OUD, as well as the impact of their OUD on their ability to work.

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