Empty courtroom showing judge's bench

Where Next for Opioids and the Law? Despair, Harm Reduction, Lawsuits, and Regulatory Reform

Dec. 13, 2017

  • White man in cream sweater

Department/Center:

So far, it looks as if law has reduced the damage but not turned back the tide in the opioid epidemic. Given that most states now have adopted some version of Good Samaritan, naloxone access, and PDMP laws, where do lawmakers go next? Scott Burris offers a few options, including focusing on despair, going after pharmaceutical companies, doubling down on harm reduction and a public health drug policy, and better regulation of treatment.