Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs of US Chiefs of Police About Addiction and the Overdose Crisis

• In Event: Assessing Decriminalization, Harm Reduction, and Public Health Approaches to Policing the Opioid Crisis

Abstract

Background
Little is known about the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of US Chiefs of police about responses to addiction and overdose, the leading causes of accidental death in the US.

Methods
This study surveyed 274 randomly-sampled US chiefs of police about their views on substance use, addiction, and overdose.

Results
Among chiefs, there were significant gaps in knowledge, and regional variation in attitudes and beliefs. While most chiefs were confident in their officers' ability to respond to opioid overdoses, chiefs from the US West were significantly more confident about their response to stimulant overdoses than chiefs from the Northeast. Most voiced a willingness to adapt a curriculum that could effectively de-escalate such incidents. Nearly 40% of chiefs were uncertain about the use of medications in treating addiction, while 80% issued naloxone to patrol officers. There was a consensus that officers have discretion in enforcing minor drug offenses, and could be trusted to use it. Chiefs across regions of the US cited cannabis as posing less of a danger than other substances.

Conclusion
There is a need for innovation in the police response to stimulant overdose, and to emphasize officer discretion in responding to the overdose crisis with alternatives to arrest.

Authors

• Amelia Bailey, Brown University

• Kailtin Fatima Martins, Rhode Island Hospital

• M.H. Clark, University of Central Florida

• Danielle Atkins, Florida State University

• Barbara Andraka-Christou, University of Central Florida

• Brandon del Pozo, Brown University