Reframing the Opioid Epidemic as a National Emergency

Gostin, LO, Hodge JG, Noe SA. Reframing the opioid epidemic as a national emergency, JAMA, 2017

Posted: 26 Aug 2017 Last revised: 21 Dec 2018

See all articles by Lawrence O. Gostin

Lawrence O. Gostin

Georgetown University - Law Center - O'Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law

James G. Hodge

Arizona State University (ASU) - Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law

Sarah Noe

Arizona State University (ASU), Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, Students

Date Written: August 23, 2017

Abstract

On August 10, 2017 President Trump announced his intention to declare a national emergency following the recommendation of the White House Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis. Opioid abuse is among the most consequential preventable public health threats facing the nation. More than 600,000 deaths have occurred to date, with 180,000 more predicted by 2020. Of the 20.5 million US residents 12 years or older with substance use disorders in 2015, 2 million were addicted to prescription pain relievers. A national emergency declaration authorizes public health powers, mobilizes resources, and facilitates innovative strategies to curb a rapidly escalating public health crisis.

Keywords: opioids, emergency, law, policy, epidemic

Suggested Citation

Gostin, Lawrence O. and Hodge, James G. and Noe, Sarah, Reframing the Opioid Epidemic as a National Emergency (August 23, 2017). Gostin, LO, Hodge JG, Noe SA. Reframing the opioid epidemic as a national emergency, JAMA, 2017, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3024919

Lawrence O. Gostin

Georgetown University - Law Center - O'Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law ( email )

600 New Jersey Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20001
United States
202-662-9038 (Phone)
202-662-9055 (Fax)

James G. Hodge (Contact Author)

Arizona State University (ASU) - Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law ( email )

Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law
111 E. Taylor Street, MC 9520
Phoenix, AZ 85004-4467
United States
480-727-8576 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://https://law.asu.edu/degree-programs/public-health-law-policy

Sarah Noe

Arizona State University (ASU), Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, Students ( email )

Box 877906
Tempe, AZ 85287-7906
United States

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