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With a Little Help from My Friends: The Effects of Good Samaritan and Naloxone Access Laws on Opioid-Related Deaths

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  • Daniel I. Rees
  • Joseph J. Sabia
  • Laura M. Argys
  • Dhaval Dave
  • Joshua Latshaw

Abstract

In an effort to address the opioid epidemic, a majority of states recently passed some version of a Good Samaritan law (GSL) and/or a naloxone access law (NAL). Good Samaritan laws provide immunity from prosecution for drug possession to anyone who seeks medical assistance in the event of a drug overdose; NALs allow laypersons to administer naloxone, which temporarily counteracts the effects of an opioid overdose. Using data from the National Vital Statistics System multiple-cause-of-death mortality files for 1999-2014, this study is the first to examine the effects of these laws on overdose deaths involving opioids. The estimated effects of GSLs on opioid-related mortality are consistently negative but not statistically significant. Adoption of an NAL is associated with a statistically significant 9-10 percent reduction in opioid-related mortality, although the negative association between NALs and opioid-related mortality appears to be driven by early adopters--states that passed legislation before 2011.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel I. Rees & Joseph J. Sabia & Laura M. Argys & Dhaval Dave & Joshua Latshaw, 2019. "With a Little Help from My Friends: The Effects of Good Samaritan and Naloxone Access Laws on Opioid-Related Deaths," Journal of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 62(1), pages 1-27.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:jlawec:doi:10.1086/700703
    DOI: 10.1086/700703
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    Cited by:

    1. Amy Finkelstein & Matthew Gentzkow & Dean Li & Heidi L. Williams, 2022. "What Drives Risky Prescription Opioid Use? Evidence from Migration," NBER Working Papers 30471, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    2. Eichmeyer, Sarah & Zhang, Jonathan, 2023. "Primary care providers’ influence on opioid use and its adverse consequences," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 217(C).
    3. Lleras-Muney, Adriana & Price, Joseph & Yue, Dahai, 2022. "The association between educational attainment and longevity using individual-level data from the 1940 census," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    4. Cotti, Chad D. & Gordanier, John M. & Ozturk, Orgul D., 2020. "The relationship of opioid prescriptions and the educational performance of children," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 265(C).
    5. Baumgart-McFarland, Madison & Chiarello, Elizabeth & Slay, Tayla, 2022. "Reluctant Saviors: Professional ambivalence, cultural imaginaries, and deservingness construction in naloxone provision," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 309(C).
    6. Abouk, Rahi & Powell, David, 2021. "Can electronic prescribing mandates reduce opioid-related overdoses?," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 42(C).

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