How Tracking Prescriptions Can Help Prevent Domestic Violence

The opioid crisis is not just about those who use these drugs. It also affects families and communities. One way to fight this problem is by tracking prescriptions more strictly. This can help reduce domestic violence, especially against women. Strict rules on tracking prescriptions have been put in place in some states. These rules make it harder for people to get too many opioids. The result? A drop in domestic violence cases by about 9 to 10%. This is a big deal because it shows that controlling drug supply can have other benefits. But there's a catch. Some people who can't get opioids easily might turn to heroin instead. This leads to a small increase in heroin-related domestic violence. However, this increase is very small. It doesn't make up for the overall drop in violence. The biggest improvements are seen in groups that use a lot of opioids. This includes non-Hispanic Whites. But everyone benefits from these stricter rules. The key takeaway? Tracking prescriptions can help reduce domestic violence. But we also need to address the switch to illegal drugs. This is a complex issue that requires careful policy-making.