Government Legislation in Response to the Opioid Epidemic.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Opioid misuse and abuse in the USA has evolved into an epidemic of tragic pain and suffering, resulting in the estimated death of over 64,000 people in 2016. Governmental regulation has escalated alongside growing awareness of the epidemic's severity, both on the state and federal levels.


RECENT FINDINGS
This article reviews the timeline of government interventions from the late 1990s to today, including the declaration of the opioid crisis as a national public health emergency and the resultant changes in funding and policy across myriad agencies. Aspects of the cultural climate that fuel the epidemic, and foundational change that may promote sustained success against it, are detailed within as well. As a consequence of misuse and abuse of opioids, governmental regulation has attempted to safeguard society, and clinicians should appreciate changes and expectations of prescribers.
['Jones|Mark R|MR|', 'Novitch|Matthew B|MB|', 'Sarrafpour|Syena|S|', 'Ehrhardt|Ken P|KP|', 'Scott|Benjamin B|BB|', 'Orhurhu|Vwaire|V|', 'Viswanath|Omar|O|', 'Kaye|Alan D|AD|', 'Gill|Jatinder|J|', 'Simopoulos|Thomas T|TT|']
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid D058872:Epidemics D035082:Federal Government D006801:Humans D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders D063487:Prescription Drug Misuse D013219:State Government
Opioid epidemic Opioid crisis Abuse-deterrent formulations Addiction Commission on combating drug addiction Overdose Prescription drug monitoring program