Report: Opioid crisis cost U.S. economy $631B from 2015-2018

The opioid crisis cost the U.S. economy $631 billion from 2015-2018, according to a report released by the Society of Actuaries. Mortality costs accounted for 40% ($253 billion) of the estimated economic impact, predominantly driven by lost lifetime earnings for those who died prematurely due to drug overdoses involving opioids. Among other areas highlighted in the report were costs for excess health care spending for individuals with opioid use disorder; costs associated with criminal justice activities; costs associated with government-funded child and family assistance programs and education programs; and lost productivity costs. The report also found that the opioid crisis will cost another $172–$214 billion this year.