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Law enforcement attitudes toward overdose prevention and response
Traci C Green1, Nickolas Zaller, Wilson R Palacios
1Rhode Island Hospital, Department of Emergency Medicine, 55 Claverick St.-2nd flr, Providence, RI 02903, USA; The Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
Drug and Alcohol Dependence
|September 21, 2013
Summary
Law enforcement supports overdose prevention efforts, but officers express frustration with addiction treatment access and the cycle of opioid use. Broader engagement is needed to address this public health crisis.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Criminology
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Law enforcement frequently encounters medical emergencies, including drug overdoses.
- Officers observe the evolving demographics of drug users and the impact of the prescription opioid epidemic.
- Limited data exists on law enforcement perspectives regarding overdose prevention and response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore law enforcement attitudes toward overdose prevention and response.
- To understand the role of law enforcement in addressing the opioid crisis.
- To identify barriers and facilitators to law enforcement involvement in overdose prevention.
Main Methods:
- Key informant interviews were conducted with 13 law enforcement officials.
- A Rapid Assessment and Response (RAR) process was employed over 12 weeks.
- Interviews focused on overdose prevention, naloxone administration, and community relations.
Main Results:
- Law enforcement officials expressed support for involvement in overdose prevention.
- Hesitancy regarding layperson naloxone administration was noted.
- Officers reported feelings of futility due to limited treatment options and the pervasive nature of prescription opioids.
Conclusions:
- Law enforcement involvement in overdose prevention is viewed as part of community policing.
- Existing trends suggest a need for expanded law enforcement engagement in public health crises.
- Broader engagement can enhance public safety, even in non-urban areas.
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