U.S. Trends: Synthetic Opioid Production Remains Strong

john-kimmel (55)in #health • 8 years ago (edited)

DEA established quotas for production of Oxycodone, a semi-synthetic opioid, have nearly quadrupled since the start of the millennium. Oxycodone is a potent painkiller derived from the Persian Poppy, with a high potential for addiction.

2009 was the height of the "Pill Mill" epidemic in South Florida, yet by 2013, nationwide production quotas for Oxycodone had increased 98%. Between 2012 and 2013 alone, production quotas showed a huge jump of 46%. During the roughly same period (2009-2013), the U.S. population increased by only 3%, from about 306 to 316 million. Since 2013, productions quotas have declined somewhat, but still remain 79% above the 2009 level.

DEA Established Oxycodone Production Quotas (for sale, grams)

Year	Production Quota (g)	Percent +/-
2016	139,150,000	- 1.6%
2015	141,375,000	- 5.4%
2014	149,375,000	- 2.9%
2013	153,750,000	+ 46.2%
2012	105,200,000	+ 7.3%
2011	98,000,000	- 7.2%
2010	105,500,000	+ 36%
2009	77,560,000	+ 53.6%
2005	50,490,000	+ 40.8%
2000	35,850,000	NA