Overdose Hotspots and the Law of Concentration: Assessing Overdose Concentrations in Cincinnati, Ohio

• In Event: Communities and Place: Hotspots, Environmental Features, Tourism, and Crime

Abstract

The United States has experienced record levels of drug overdoses and more than 1 million overdose deaths since the turn of the 20th century. Research has long recognized that overdoses are concentrated much more in some areas than others. However, most of this work has focused on larger study units (e.g., counties, state, cities). In contrast, there have been remarkably few analyses examining micro-level places and the degree to which these incidents are concentrated in “overdose hotspots.” Addressing this issue is important for at least two reasons. First, it is theoretically important for assessing whether overdose incidents are concentrated in the same way as crime and whether the “law of concentration” (Weisburd 2015) applies to drug overdoses. Second, in terms of policy, identifying overdose hotspots could help local governments and agencies target high-risk overdose areas with increased prevention, treatment, and harm reduction efforts. In light of these considerations, the current study examines the degree to which overdoses are concentrated in micro-level hotspots in Cincinnati, Ohio using data on (1) Hamilton County EMS calls and (2) Quick Response Team data on overdoses incidents.

Authors

• Ben Feldmeyer, University of Cincinnati

• Sarah M. Manchak, University of Cincinnati

• Cory P. Haberman, University of Cincinnati

• Calvin Proffit, University of Cincinnati

• Bradley O'Guinn, University of Cincinnati