ALICE RAP Policy Paper Series: Prescription opioids and public health in the EU

ALICE RAP (Addictions and Lifestyles in Contemporary Europe – Reframing Addictions Project) is the first major Europe wide project studying addictions as a whole and their influence on wealth, health and stealth. The aim of this five year, €10 million, co-financed EU project is to stimulate and feed scientific evidence into a comprehensive public dialogue and debate on current and alternative approaches to addictions.

The AR Policy Paper series aims to provide succinct evidence briefs for decision-makers and advocates working on key addiction-related issues. The fourth paper in the series focuses on public health challenges arising from prescription opioid dispensing regulations and use.

This AR policy paper outlines the key issues for policy-makers considering the possible risks of increasing opioid prescription and how to balance the need for adequate medical control of pain against possible problematic non-medical use of these substances. Three key considerations for evidence-based policy are highlighted in conclusion.

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