Dear WCAN Member,

The rise in use – and abuse – of prescription painkillers known as “opioids” has been called a “growing, deadly epidemic” and a “public health emergency.” According to the Centers for Disease Control , prescription painkillers were responsible for more overdose deaths than heroin and cocaine combined and deaths from prescription drugs exceed those from automobile crashes.

Although it is a national health crisis, the rise in opioids is dealing a double-blow to California's workers’ compensation system. The amount spent on potent opioids as a percentage of all dollars spent on prescription drugs has increased five times the amount spent in 2002, with more than half of prescriptions coming from less than 3% of physicians. Injury claims involving opioids last longer, are more expensive and have more litigation. For injured workers, treatment with opioids correlates with more days off work, delay in physical recovery and side effects including addiction and even death.

More troubling, research shows as much as 60% opioid prescriptions in workers’ compensation are not supported by evidence-based treatment guidelines.

What should be done?

WCAN believes the prescription opioid crisis requires broad-based action from policymakers to prevent abuse, stop criminals, save lives and lower costs. Given the scope of the crisis, action should translate across all sectors of the health care system, including public health systems, private health insurance and independent systems, such as workers’ compensation.

WCAN believes legislative or regulatory proposals should achieve three fundamental goals:

1) Increased Transparency in Opioid Prescribing and Use

2) Better Enforcement

3) Clearer Guidelines for Opioid Prescribing

Read more about achieving these three goals and WCAN’s full platform on opioids by clicking here.

Please contact us with any questions or comments at contactus@fixworkerscompnow.org.