Date of Award

Spring 5-3-2024

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Major

Public Policy & Law

First Advisor

Abigail Fisher Williamson

Second Advisor

Mark Stater

Abstract

Research Question: How do state-level policies authorizing law enforcement to carry and administer Narcan while on duty shape overdose mortality?

Methods: State-level policies Narcan administration policies were examined and categorized. A cross-sectional regression analysis was performed to evaluate the factors influencing state variation in drug overdose deaths. Following bivariate analysis, a panel regression analysis was then executed to precisely estimate the relationship between state-level law enforcement Narcan administration policies and drug overdose deaths.

Results: The cross-sectional analysis provided findings that were largely consistent with the current literature. A higher proportion of non-Hispanic white individuals and a higher proportion of individuals with minimal education are significant predictors for higher levels of drug overdose deaths. The panel analysis found law enforcement Narcan administration policies to be associated with higher levels of drug overdose deaths, though not by a statistically significant margin. Policies were also found to be associated with lower levels of overdose mortality the longer they were implemented; however, this result also fell below traditional levels of significance.

Conclusion: For substantial change to be observed more resources need to be allocated to public health focused initiatives. Additionally, analysis of patterns of state legislation suggests that conservative states may be more open to implementing harm reduction strategies if they include law enforcement in some capacity.

Download

Share

COinS