The role of mountaintop removal mining in the opioid crisis

Dados Bibliográficos

ID15413914
AutoresM Katie Marberry (Edison Welding Institute), Danilea Werner (Auburn University, autor correspondente)
Ano2020
Volume22
Fascículo4
Páginas265-273
Data de publicação2020-12-04
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessNão
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoJournal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1533-256X • E-ISSN: 1533-2578
EditoraTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/1533256x.2020.1838862
OpenAlexW4233525351
IdiomaEN
Referências citadas19

This study examines the relationship between mining practices in Central Appalachia and opioid use. Central Appalachia, known for coal mining, has one of the highest rates of opioid use in the U.S. Of particular interest is Mountaintop Removal Mining (MTR). MTR is a form of surface mining that requires clearcutting the mountain’s forest before detonating explosives to reveal a coal vein. The vein reveals coal that would not have been accessible using traditional underground mining methods. MTR has been shown to be connected to many adverse health effects, including increased rates of cancer, serious illness, and substance abuse related hospitalizations. The researchers of this study hypothesize that the adverse health effects of MTR may influence opioid abuse. The results of this study revealed a relationship between mining practices in Central Appalachian counties and opioid-related hospital discharge rates and prescription rates

Appalachia · Appalachian Region · Archaeology · Business · Coal · Coal mining · Environmental health · Geography · Medical prescription · Mining engineering · Opioid · Physical geography · Surface mining · Disaster Response and Management · Engineering · Environmental Justice and Health Disparities · Health and Conflict Studies · Homelessness and Social Issues · Medicine · Migration, Health and Trauma · Nursing · Opioid Use Disorder Treatment · Geology · Internal Medicine