Thinking Outside “The Box”: Public Health Approaches to Criminal Justice Problems

Session Submission Type: Complete Thematic Panel

Abstract

Gun violence and substance abuse represent two of the most urgent, complicated, and seemingly intractable problems faced by the U.S. criminal justice system at present. The emergence of effective policies for reducing the burgeoning morbidity, mortality, and economic costs of both phenomena has been stymied by significant political disagreement on not only proper approaches, but also underlying causes; arguably, the most prevalent “solution” to date – severe sanctions aimed at deterrence – has failed to ameliorate either problem, and may have further exacerbated the associated harms. This panel will consider the potential contributions of a public health approach to these issues, which may be productively integrated with(in) new and existing criminal justice strategies and institutions. At the same time, presenters will reflect on the shortcomings of any approach that fails to critically reflect on the socio-structural forces underwriting both the proliferation of firearms and the problematic usage of drugs.

Sub Unit

• Area VII. The Criminal Justice System / 45. Challenging Criminal Justice Policies

Individual Presentations

• Selling ‘Scripts and Cutting Strips: Motives and Methods for Buprenorphine Diversion in Pennsylvania - Katherine McLean, Pennsylvania State University, Greater Allegheny

• First Responder Perceptions of Opioid Overdose Reversals With Naloxone in South Central Pennsylvania - Philip Kavanaugh, Pennsylvania State University, Harrisburg

• Guns, Drugs, and the War at Home - Sandra Trappen, Pennsylvania State University, Berks

Chair

• Sandra Trappen, Pennsylvania State University, Berks