Illicit Drugs and the Decline of the Middle Class

Arbeitspapier

Empirical evidence for the U.S. suggests that illicit consumption of opioids increases in association with socio-economic deprivation of the middle-class. To explore the underlying mechanisms, we set up a task-based labor market model with endogenous mental health status and a health care system. The decline of tasks that were historically performed by the middle class and the associated decline in socio-economic status increases the share of mentally distressed middle class workers. Mentally distressed workers can mitigate their hardships by the intake of illicit drugs or by consuming health goods. We argue that explaining the rise in illicit drug use among the U.S. middle class requires an interaction of socio-economic decline and falling opioid prices, i.e. one factor in isolation is insufficient. Our analysis also points to a central role of the health care system. Extending mental health care could motivate the mentally distressed to abstain from illicit drug consumption.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: IZA Discussion Papers ; No. 14035

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Health: General ; National Government Expenditures and Health
• Subject: socio-economic deprivation ; Illicit drugs ; mental distress ; middle class ; health insurance

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Grossmann, Volker ; Strulik, Holger
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)
• (where): Bonn
• (when): 2021

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/232787
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:43 AM CET