In 2016 alone nearly 50,000 individuals died from opioid overdoses in the United States and the epidemic has cost the country one trillion dollars since 2001. These alarming statistics reflect a well-known US public health problem, however, what is less known is that the opioid crisis is beginning to spread to other countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, and Canada. The rise of synthetic opioids such as OxyContin and Fentanyl complicate the long-standing effort to curb the global illicit drug trade, in turn changing market dynamics and foreign relations.
For instance, if drug users in wealthier countries begin to use more synthetic opioids which are easier and cheaper to produce, these countries could lose interest in ending drug crop production. This shift could affect the United States' relationship with many countries in Latin America as well as Afghanistan which have produced many of the plant-derived drugs trafficked internationally. Additionally, power dynamics among illegal drug organizations are likely to shift as some cartels move to Fentanyl distribution. This could spur new conflict and violence.
As opioid use rises, national policies will need to be designed to address the corresponding health concerns in order to avoid an epidemic like that of the United States. Limiting the demand for and supply of these types of drugs is crucial, yet the strategies to address the synthetic opioid market vary drastically from country to country. What can be learned from the US experience and are there any success stories in other countries?
Join Keith Humphreys, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford, to discuss the repercussions that the opioid crisis has on international drug policy, foreign relations and the power that global drug traffickers yield as well as how countries might create plans to stop a full-on opioid pandemic.
SPEAKER:
Keith HumphreysProfessor and the Section Director for Mental Health Policy, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University
show less
For instance, if drug users in wealthier countries begin to use more synthetic opioids which are easier and cheaper to produce, these countries could lose interest in ending drug crop production. This shift could affect the United States' relationship with many countries in Latin America as well as Afghanistan which have produced many of the plant-derived drugs trafficked internationally. Additionally, power dynamics among illegal drug organizations are likely to shift as some cartels move to Fentanyl distribution. This could spur new conflict and violence.
As opioid use rises, national policies will need to be designed to address the corresponding health concerns in order to avoid an epidemic like that of the United States. Limiting the demand for and supply of these types of drugs is crucial, yet the strategies to address the synthetic opioid market vary drastically from country to country. What can be learned from the US experience and are there any success stories in other countries?
Join Keith Humphreys, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford, to discuss the repercussions that the opioid crisis has on international drug policy, foreign relations and the power that global drug traffickers yield as well as how countries might create plans to stop a full-on opioid pandemic.
SPEAKER:
Keith HumphreysProfessor and the Section Director for Mental Health Policy, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University
In 2016 alone nearly 50,000 individuals died from opioid overdoses in the United States and the epidemic has cost the country one trillion dollars since 2001. These alarming statistics reflect a well-known US public health problem, however, what is less known is that the opioid crisis is beginning to spread to other countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, and Canada. The rise of synthetic opioids such as OxyContin and Fentanyl complicate the long-standing effort to curb the global illicit drug trade, in turn changing market dynamics and foreign relations.
For instance, if drug users in wealthier countries begin to use more synthetic opioids which are easier and cheaper to produce, these countries could lose interest in ending drug crop production. This shift could affect the United States' relationship with many countries in Latin America as well as Afghanistan which have produced many of the plant-derived drugs trafficked internationally. Additionally, power dynamics among illegal drug organizations are likely to shift as some cartels move to Fentanyl distribution. This could spur new conflict and violence.
As opioid use rises, national policies will need to be designed to address the corresponding health concerns in order to avoid an epidemic like that of the United States. Limiting the demand for and supply of these types of drugs is crucial, yet the strategies to address the synthetic opioid market vary drastically from country to country. What can be learned from the US experience and are there any success stories in other countries?
Join Keith Humphreys, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford, to discuss the repercussions that the opioid crisis has on international drug policy, foreign relations and the power that global drug traffickers yield as well as how countries might create plans to stop a full-on opioid pandemic.
SPEAKER:
Keith HumphreysProfessor and the Section Director for Mental Health Policy, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University
read more
For instance, if drug users in wealthier countries begin to use more synthetic opioids which are easier and cheaper to produce, these countries could lose interest in ending drug crop production. This shift could affect the United States' relationship with many countries in Latin America as well as Afghanistan which have produced many of the plant-derived drugs trafficked internationally. Additionally, power dynamics among illegal drug organizations are likely to shift as some cartels move to Fentanyl distribution. This could spur new conflict and violence.
As opioid use rises, national policies will need to be designed to address the corresponding health concerns in order to avoid an epidemic like that of the United States. Limiting the demand for and supply of these types of drugs is crucial, yet the strategies to address the synthetic opioid market vary drastically from country to country. What can be learned from the US experience and are there any success stories in other countries?
Join Keith Humphreys, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford, to discuss the repercussions that the opioid crisis has on international drug policy, foreign relations and the power that global drug traffickers yield as well as how countries might create plans to stop a full-on opioid pandemic.
SPEAKER:
Keith HumphreysProfessor and the Section Director for Mental Health Policy, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University
show less
Date/Times:
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