News Article

Kasich’s Opioid Regulations Backfire

Friday, February 17, 2017

by The Oberlin Review

Every five hours, someone overdoses on heroin in Ohio.

One in every nine deaths from heroin overdoses in the U.S. occurs in Ohio, leading the nation. In Lorain County, approximately 140 people died from heroin overdoses in 2016, according to The Chronicle-Telegram.

On the other hand, according to The Columbus Dispatch, Ohio has lower rates of oxycodone and hydrocodone overdoses than many other states. Oxycodone and hydrocodone are prescription opioids, usually distributed in pill form. These painkillers are closely linked to heroin and can have similar effects on users when abused.

While the relatively low rates of oxycodone and hydrocodone overdoses in Ohio are seemingly positive statistics, these low rates could be related to the high heroin-overdose rate. Four of five heroin users began their addiction through abusing oxycodone or hydrocodone. In 2011, Ohio Governor John Kasich attempted to combat the prescription opioid epidemic by busting “pill mills” — rings of corrupt doctors who illegally prescribe prescription opioids — and limiting the prescription of opioids to a three-day supply, among other policies. These initiatives make it difficult for patients who need painkillers to get their medicine, and caused the price of opioids on the black market to skyrocket.

https://oberlinreview.org/12635/opinions/kasichs-opioid-regulations-backfire/