U.S. Trends: Synthetic Opioid Production Remains Strong
DEA established quotas for production of Oxycodone, a semi-synthetic opioid, have nearly quadrupled since the start of the millennium. Oxycodone is a potent painkiller derived from the Persian Poppy, with a high potential for addiction.
2009 was the height of the "Pill Mill" epidemic in South Florida, yet by 2013, nationwide production quotas for Oxycodone had increased 98%. Between 2012 and 2013 alone, production quotas showed a huge jump of 46%. During the roughly same period (2009-2013), the U.S. population increased by only 3%, from about 306 to 316 million. Since 2013, productions quotas have declined somewhat, but still remain 79% above the 2009 level.
DEA Established Oxycodone Production Quotas (for sale, grams)
| Year | Production Quota (g) | Percent +/- |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 139,150,000 | - 1.6% |
| 2015 | 141,375,000 | - 5.4% |
| 2014 | 149,375,000 | - 2.9% |
| 2013 | 153,750,000 | + 46.2% |
| 2012 | 105,200,000 | + 7.3% |
| 2011 | 98,000,000 | - 7.2% |
| 2010 | 105,500,000 | + 36% |
| 2009 | 77,560,000 | + 53.6% |
| 2005 | 50,490,000 | + 40.8% |
| 2000 | 35,850,000 | NA |
Sources:
Federal Register - 2000 Quotas
Federal Register - 2005 Quotas
Federal Register - 2009 Quotas
Federal Register - 2010 Quotas
Federal Register - 2011 Quotas
Federal Register - 2012 Quotas
Federal Register - 2013 Quotas
Federal Register - 2014 Quotas
Federal Register - 2015 Quotas
Federal Register - 2016 Quotas
Wikipedia
rxlist
U.S. Census
I wrote about it yesterday. https://steemit.com/drugs/@pairmike/opiates-and-opioids-houston-we-have-a-problem