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Global Business: The Economic Impact of America's Opioid Epidemic

The Economic Impact of America's Opioid Epidemic

30/06/2018 GMT

BBC World Service - Global Business, The Economic Impact of America's Opioid Epidemic

How have workers and businesses fared in Ohio, one of the worst hit states?

How are businesses managing in America's opioid crisis? Claire Bolderson visits Ohio, where companies struggle to recruit and workers to get jobs.

Ohio is one of the worst hit US states for opioid addiction rates and deaths. Huge numbers of people have dropped out of the workforce and employers say they struggle to recruit the people they need. If automation increases as a result, will unemployment, despair and addiction get even worse? And is drug testing workers part of the solution or part of the problem? Claire Bolderson asks why the opioid epidemic has taken such a hold here and visits companies hoping to develop new medical solutions to treat pain and manage addiction. For them, the opioid crisis might just be a very profitable business opportunity. 

Producer: Rosamund Jones.

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