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Opioid agonist treatments and heroin overdose deaths in Baltimore, maryland, 1995-2009

Author

Listed:
  • Schwartz, R.P.
  • Gryczynski, J.
  • O'Grady, K.E.
  • Sharfstein, J.M.
  • Warren, G.
  • Olsen, Y.
  • Mitchell, S.G.
  • Jaffe, J.H.

Abstract

Objectives: We examined the association between the expansion of methadone and buprenorphine treatment and the prevalence of heroin overdose deaths in Baltimore, Maryland from 1995 to 2009. Methods: We conducted a longitudinal time series analysis of archival data using linear regression with the Newey-West method to correct SEs for heteroscedasticity and autocorrelation, adjusting for average heroin purity. Results: Overdose deaths attributed to heroin ranged from a high of 312 in 1999 to a low of 106 in 2008. While mean heroin purity rose sharply (1995-1999), the increasing number of patients treated with methadone was not associated with a change in the number of overdose deaths, but starting in 2000 expansion of opioid agonist treatment was associated with a decline in overdose deaths. Adjusting for heroin purity and the number of methadone patients, there was a statistically significant inverse relationship between heroin overdose deaths and patients treated with buprenorphine (P =.002). Conclusions: Increased access to opioid agonist treatment was associated with a reduction in heroin overdose deaths. Implementing policies that support evidence-based medication treatment of opiate dependence may decrease heroin overdose deaths.

Suggested Citation

  • Schwartz, R.P. & Gryczynski, J. & O'Grady, K.E. & Sharfstein, J.M. & Warren, G. & Olsen, Y. & Mitchell, S.G. & Jaffe, J.H., 2013. "Opioid agonist treatments and heroin overdose deaths in Baltimore, maryland, 1995-2009," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 103(5), pages 917-922.
    • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2012.301049_1
    DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2012.301049
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    Cited by:

    1. Christopher J. Ruhm, 2018. "Deaths of Despair or Drug Problems?," NBER Working Papers 24188, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    2. repec:max:cprpbr:52 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Ruhm, Christopher J., 2019. "Drivers of the fatal drug epidemic," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 25-42.

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