Date of Conferral
2021
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Criminal Justice
Advisor
Jennifer Grimes
Abstract
The opioid epidemic in the United States has increased in severity, lives lost, and associated costs for several decades. While legislation and criminal justice practices around the world regarding opioids have followed various avenues including alternative harm reduction approaches, U.S. responses have largely remained stagnant. However, one alternative harm reduction program, the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program, has been implemented in a few U.S. cities. This study examined law enforcement administrators’ familiarity and challenges with harm reduction strategies like the LEAD program. Using Kingdon’s multiple streams theory, this qualitative case study interviewed 10 law enforcement administrators from the Midwestern United States. Participants were asked about their experiences with and their recommendations for the opioid epidemic covering policy, problem, and political streams. These administrators revealed that the epidemic is everchanging: what started as a prescription opioid problem has evolved into a cheaper, more readily available synthetic opioid and heroin problem. Responses also revealed differences between political and public sentiment about the epidemic. No self-interest groups had solicited these administrators with potential policies or strategies. While showing what approaches they have used, these administrators also indicated approaches they would recommend going forward, including more education on all fronts, more treatment availability, and funding for a variety of programs. Law enforcement administrators, officers, and those affected by the opioid epidemic may benefit from the results of this study leading to positive social change.
Recommended Citation
Sharp, Johnathon Michael, "Harm Reduction Strategies & Law Enforcement’s Approach to the Opioid Epidemic" (2021). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 11230.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/11230
