Demand for illicit drugs among pregnant women.
We use postpartum survey data linked to medical records and city-level drug prices to estimate the demand for illicit drugs among pregnant women. We find that a $10 increase in the retail price of a gram of pure cocaine decreases illicit drug use by 12-15%. The estimated price effects for heroin are lower than for cocaine and are less robust across alternative model specifications. This study provides the first estimates of the effects of drug prices on prenatal drug use and yields important information about the potential of drug enforcement as a tool for reducing illicit drug use among pregnant women.
Corman
Hope
H
Department of Economics, Rider University, Lawrenceville, NJ, USA.
Noonan
Kelly
K
Reichman
Nancy E
NE
Dave
Dhaval
D
D000328:Adult; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000191:economics* / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D008485:Medical Audit; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014481:United States
D013287:Illicit Drugs