Date of Conferral

2023

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Scott M. Gfeller

Abstract

With the introduction of law enforcement-administered naloxone, officers are assuming the dual role of law enforcer and caregiver with opioid users. This study used cognitive role theory and Thorne’s interpretive approach to explore the dual roles experienced by officers. The purpose of this study was to understand (1) how officers who administer naloxone describe their experience of the dual role, and (2) how the officers describe the role expectations of law enforcer and caregiver. Seven officers completed semi-structured, one-on-one, telephone interviews. The eight themes that emerged were related to the officers’ views of (1) saving and changing opioid users’ lives; (2) humanizing the officers; (3) mental health, stress, and trauma of officers; (4) the cycle of opioid reuse and re-arrest of opioid users; (5) views of the opioid user; (6) views of their role; (7) flaws and recommended improvements to the system; and (8) views of the naloxone program. Findings showed the dual role has created role ambiguity and conflict and has created additional stress and trauma for the officers. Most officers in the study supported the use of naloxone and identified this new responsibility from the existing aspect of their role to save lives and improve the community. Recommendations included increased medical training to improve officers’ confidence in making medical decisions, policy improvements to reduce role ambiguity and conflict, department and community naloxone implementation campaigns to socialize the concept before implementation into a department, emotional and psychological monitoring and supports for officers administering naloxone, and more outreach for secondary support following naloxone administration leading to positive social change.

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