Methadone Maintenance Ignited America's Opioid Crisis; Randall S. Bock,

America’s opioid crisis is often attributed to the Sacklers, Purdue Pharma, OxyContin, and more recently, fentanyl. However, the roots of this epidemic run much deeper, dating back to policies adopted in the 1960s and 70s. By the mid-20th century, opiate usage had plummeted, but a significant shift occurred that laid the groundwork for the crisis we see today.

In the 1960s, New York City grappled with a heroin-fueled crime wave emanating from Harlem and Bedford Stuyvesant. Rather than addressing the socio-economic issues at the heart of the problem, policymakers opted for a quick fix: methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). This approach was initially designed to pacify crime spilling into wealthier Manhattan neighborhoods but inadvertently expanded the opioid problem nationwide.

The widespread adoption of MMT created a fertile environment for the later explosion of heroin, OxyContin, and fentanyl abuse. By understanding the historical context and policy decisions that led to this situation, we can better grasp why the opioid epidemic has spiraled out of control and why current efforts may be misguided. Dive into this critical analysis to uncover the forgotten chapters of America’s opioid crisis and understand the true origins of our national tragedy.