Understanding Differences in Types of Opioid Prescriptions Across Time and Space: A Community-Level Analysis

• Author: Jiamin Li,Steven S. Martin,Tammy L. Anderson,Yiqian Fang,Xiaoke Zhang
• DOI: 10.1177/0022042618815687
• Published date: 01 April 2019
• Date: 01 April 2019
• Subject Matter: Articles

https://doi.org/10.1177/0022042618815687

Journal of Drug Issues

2019, Vol. 49(2) 405 –418

© The Author(s) 2018

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DOI: 10.1177/0022042618815687

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Article

Understanding Differences in

Types of Opioid Prescriptions

Across Time and Space: A

Community-Level Analysis

Tammy L. Anderson1, Xiaoke Zhang2,

Steven S. Martin1, Yiqian Fang1, and Jiamin Li1

Abstract

For the better part of the 21st century, opioid abuse and related consequences have beleaguered

the United States. Effectively fighting the crisis may require a better understanding of potential

differences among the types of opioids available as treating them as one homogeneous group

may mask emerging trends and conflate more benign ones with those more troubling. The

purpose of our study is to investigate changes in prescribing patterns of four groups of

opioids (hydrocodone, oxycodone, fentanyl, and other) and how community-level factors

explain their variation over time. We use a census tract–level data set with population,

concentrated disadvantage, and prescription drug monitoring payment variables to address

our goals. Findings show disparate prescribing patterns among the four types of opioids and

considerable differences in the community factors that predict their change. Implications for

future research and interventions follow.

Keywords

opioids, community, PDMP, census tract

Introduction

During the 21st century, opioid abuse, addiction, and health-related consequences (e.g., overdose

and death) have plagued the United States (Kolodny et al., 2015). Many—including former

director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Michael Botticelli—are calling this the

worst drug epidemic in our nation’s history (Hughes, 2016). Evidence (Quinones, 2015; Volkow

& McLellan, 2016) shows the current crisis originated from a rise in legally prescribed opioids

(i.e., Rx opioids) following various medical developments, such as the declaration of pain as a

fifth vital sign, in the late 20th century that increased demand for them. The increased distribu-

tion and prescribing of Rx opioids (including such drugs as oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl,

and many others) in our nation, experts argue (Hughes, 2016), have led to an increased demand

for cheaper illegal ones, for example, heroin, which have only worsened the problem. The havoc

1University of Delaware, Newark, USA

2George Washington University, DC, USA

Corresponding Author:

Tammy L. Anderson, University of Delaware, CDHS Suite 110, 257 E. Main Street, Newark, DE 19716, USA.

Email: tammya@udel.edu

815687JODXXX10.1177/0022042618815687Journal of Drug IssuesAnderson et al.

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