As a direct consequence of stricter prescription controls, a black market for opioid medications emerged. This illicit market was characterized by extremely high prices, with a single pill of a drug like OxyContin costing \$80 or more.

Emergence of a Black Market for Prescription Opioids

In 2013, the FDA advised implementing stricter regulations on the prescription of opiate drugs. This policy change significantly reduced the ability of many patients, including those who had become addicted, to legally obtain medications like OxyContin.

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The U.S. opioid crisis can be traced back to the 1990s, when pharmaceutical companies began an aggressive marketing campaign for opioid-based pain relievers like OxyContin. These companies made false promises that the drugs were non-addictive, which led to a significant increase in prescriptions. This over-prescription resulted in higher rates of misuse and addiction, affecting even patients who were using the medication as directed.

Origins of the U.S. Opioid Crisis

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

FDA's 2013 Recommendation on Opioid Prescriptions

A public health researcher is analyzing the sharp increase in opioid addiction rates that began in the United States during the 1990s. Which of the following statements best breaks down the primary causal relationship that initiated this crisis?

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