Explaining Variation in Opioid Overdose Deaths: A Criminological Approach

• In Event: The Opioid Epidemic: Patterns of Use and Overdoses

Abstract

Since 1980, the number of drug poisoning deaths in the United States has increased nearly eight-fold, with a 200 percent increase in the rate of overdose deaths involving opioids since 2000. This epidemic of opiate-related drug overdoses has garnered both local and national attention with the CDC calling for increased research to address this worsening crisis. While scholars have identified spatial variations in overdose death rates (rural vs. urban), little research has examined spatial variation in opiate-related deaths in the U.S. or explained why such variation occurs. The current study addresses this gap by using national county-level overdose data from 2009-2015 to examine and explain spatial variation in opiate deaths across the U.S. In doing so, we evaluate hypotheses drawn from social disorganization and deterrence theory to explain variation in death rates. Findings indicate that elements of both theories serve as salient predictors of opioid overdose deaths. Policy implications and potential harm reduction strategies are discussed.

Authors

• Eric G. LaPlant, The Ohio State University

• Dana L. Haynie, The Ohio State University