Random Urine Screening as a Tool to Deter Opioid Abuse: Evidence from Louisiana

We provide the first analysis of random urine screening as a tool to curb the opioid epidemic. We examine the passage of a random urine screening law in Louisiana using county level data on opioids distributed and restricted county level data on overdose deaths. Our estimation strategy uses a difference-in-differences framework and, for distribution of opioids, a novel difference-in-difference-in-differences framework using a separate controlled substance with similar trends as an additional difference. We find significant decreases in opioids prescribed and in the rate of overdose deaths. Overall, the results provide evidence random urine drug testing is an effective, and underutilized, method to curb problems associated with the opioid epidemic affirming recent CDC guidelines for clinicians recommends urine drug testing.