That’s according to a new working paper from researchers at Princeton University, distributed by the National Bureau for Economic Research. The researchers studied opioid prescription rates and employment between 2006 and 2014. They then developed models to calculate the estimated effect prescribed opioids would have on people who didn’t take them, but would benefit from them.
Their finding: For men, more prescriptions for opioids would have no effect on how many could work. But for women, there was a small, positive effect.
“These findings suggest that although they are addictive and dangerous, opioids may allow some women to work who would otherwise leave the labor force,” they wrote.
A 100% increase in opioid prescribing would lead to an increase of 3.8% in employment for women in counties where residents have higher-than average education levels. And it would lead to a 5.2% increase of employment among women in counties with less educated residents.
Overall, the working paper should indicate that the relationship between opioid prescribing and employment is “considerably murkier than simple narratives would suggest,” the researchers said.
Many people who use opioids are able to remain in the workforce, and that’s part of the reason addictions are taking such a toll on employers.
When considering treatment for those who work while having addictions, policymakers should consider helping people retain their connection to the labor market, they said.
THAT'S THE CASE A BLACK MAN ABOUT TO BE PROMOTED WITH THESE UP COMING DEATHS IF FOLKS FOLLOW THIS DUMB ASS ARTICLE
