Opioids roundup

  • Prisoners die of drug overdoses at a high rate in their first week after release. That’s in part a prohibition-related problem [Jeffrey Miron, Cato]
  • “Drug testing kits can detect the presence of fentanyl and other contaminants — but in many places, including Illinois, they are classified as illegal drug paraphernalia.” [Steve Chapman]
  • “Hospitalized Patients Are Civilian Casualties in the Government’s War on Opioids” [Jeffrey A. Singer, Cato, more]
  • Texas: “Opioid lawyers pumped $110K into LaHood’s campaign after Bexar County DA hired them” [David Yates, Southeast Texas Record] “State senator working with Watts on home turf opioid lawsuit, lawyers billing Hidalgo County $3,800 an hour” [SE Texas Record]
  • “Cities Vs. States: A Looming Battle For Control Of High-Stakes Opioid Litigation” [Daniel Fisher on Tennessee AG’s intervention]
  • All 50 states have now adopted prescription drug monitoring programs, but do they work as intended? [Jeffrey Singer, Jacob Sullum]

2 Comments

  • Re: Hospitalized Patients Are Civilian Casualties in the Government’s War on Opioids.

    Here’s a money quote from the linked article:
    “The DEA’s decision to make deep cuts in the national quota for opioid production only exacerbates the situation.”

    So true. One effect not mentioned is that dirty drugs are going to move off the streets and into the hospitals as patients resort to self-medication.

    This drug war has been an enormous net negative for the country. And yet it keeps expanding. As if its promoters are addicted to the rush of power, money, and fear. Who are these people?

    • These people have to eat and pay rent. This is their careers. The long march through the institutions began long before Rudy Dutschke outlined the strategy. The only way the lazy could live relied on gifted jobs in government positions. That’s what spawned the war on drugs, as well as all the other programs enacted in the 20th century.