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Importing the Opioid Crisis? International Trade and Fentanyl Overdoses

Author

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  • Timothy J. Moore
  • William W. Olney
  • Benjamin Hansen

Abstract

The U.S. opioid crisis is now driven by fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid that currently accounts for 90% of all opioid deaths. Fentanyl is smuggled from abroad, with little evidence on how this happens. We show that a substantial amount of fentanyl smuggling occurs via legal trade flows, with a positive relationship between state-level imports and drug overdoses that accounts for 15,000-20,000 deaths per year. This relationship is not explained by geographic differences in "deaths of despair,'' general demand for opioids, or job losses from import competition. Our results suggest that fentanyl smuggling via imports is pervasive and a key determinant of opioid problems.

Suggested Citation

  • Timothy J. Moore & William W. Olney & Benjamin Hansen, 2023. "Importing the Opioid Crisis? International Trade and Fentanyl Overdoses," NBER Working Papers 31885, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:31885
    Note: EH ITI LE PE
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • F1 - International Economics - - Trade
    • F6 - International Economics - - Economic Impacts of Globalization
    • I1 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health
    • K4 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior

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