Opioid Control Policies Associated with 10% Decrease in Domestic Violence Incidents

Recent research conducted by the University of South Florida suggests that opioid regulation measures may have broader public health benefits beyond controlling drug misuse, notably contributing to a significant reduction in domestic violence cases. As policymakers work to address the ongoing opioid crisis, these findings highlight the potential for legislation to indirectly improve community safety and social well-being.

The study, led by doctoral student Minglu Sun and economist Associate Professor Andrei Barbos, emphasizes the societal ripple effects of opioid abuse. Published in the journal Health Economics, the research analyzed how Mandatory Access Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs—laws requiring healthcare providers to consult centralized databases before prescribing opioids—impact domestic violence rates. These programs aim to prevent patients from receiving multiple prescriptions from different doctors, a common method of misuse.

Beginning in the early 2010s, several states adopted these programs after the CDC and other agencies identified them as crucial tools to curb opioid misuse. The research leveraged data from the National Incident-Based Reporting System across 31 states between 2007 and 2019, incorporating variables like demographics, income, unemployment, health status, and related policies such as marijuana legalization.

Findings revealed that the implementation of opioid control laws was linked to a 10% decline in simple assault reports—a form of domestic violence involving physical harm without weapons or serious injuries—which make up approximately 75% of such incidents in the dataset. The most pronounced effects were observed in states with higher rates of opioid prescriptions, particularly in southern regions characterized by elevated opioid dispensing rates, underscoring the link between access to opioids and domestic violence.

Barbos explained that previous public health studies indicated a correlation between opioid use and violence, but lacked proof of causality. This research provides evidence that these policies not only reduce misuse but also have a direct impact on social violence, offering additional support for their adoption amid current challenges like the fentanyl epidemic.

This study underscores the importance of comprehensive drug regulation policies and their potential to benefit community safety and public health overall. For further details, see the full publication: Andrei Barbos et al, Opioid Control Policies Can Also Reduce Domestic Violence, Health Economics (2025). Source: Medical Xpress.