Police officers, stigma, and the opioid epidemic

Abstract

Researchers have suggested that provider-based stigma of substance use disorders is one barrier to fighting the opioid epidemic. Yet, to date, virtually no study has examined provider-based stigma among law enforcement officers who are on the front line of the opioid crisis. This study attempts to fill this gap in the literature by assessing provider-based stigma toward opioid-using persons among a sample of 208 police officers working for departments located in the Northeastern Region of the United States. Results show that officers hold relatively high levels of stigma toward this vulnerable population, as measured by perceptions of dangerousness, blame, and social distance; however, comparatively, officers hold less fatalistic views toward this group of persons. Additionally, our multivariable analyses indicated that officer rank, support for the disease model of addiction, and beliefs about the demographic characteristics of a substance-using person are significantly associated with provider-based stigma among officers. Potential policy implications are discussed within.

A Preliminary Assessment of Stigma in Law Enforcement Officers’ Responses to Opioid Overdoses

“…Prior research has indicated that stigma may be one barrier to combating the opioid epidemic (Kruis & Choi, 2020; Kruis et al, 2020; Murphy & Russell, 2020). In fact, Formica and Colleagues (2018) argued that provider-based stigma among police officers may be the biggest barrier to implementing “deflection” programs where law enforcement officers serve as a connecting point between persons who experience an overdose and treatment providers in Massachusetts.…”

“…Provider-based stigma refers to “prejudice and discrimination voiced or exercised, consciously or unconsciously, by occupational groups designated to provide assistance to stigmatized groups” (Pescosolido & Martin, 2015, p. 92). Provider-based stigma and public stigma are similar “action-oriented” stigmas (Pescosolido & Martin, 2015) within the realm of social stigma (Kruis et al, 2020). Social stigma concerns real beliefs held and actions of members of socially nonostracized groups toward members of socially ostracized groups.…”

“…In contemporary society, an officer is expected to be knowledgeable, sensitive, and capable of providing care to vulnerable groups—or at least able to help distressed persons find care if they need it. In this regard, as an initial contact and “treatment” provider, it is useful to consider the role that stigma may play in shaping officers’ occupationally driven responses to these sensitive groups (Kruis et al, 2020).…”

“…Prior research has suggested that there are four unique dimensions of social stigma: (a) perceived dangerousness, (b) blame, (c) social distance, and (d) fatalism (Kruis & Choi, 2020; Kruis et al, 2020). Perceived dangerousness refers to the belief that persons with a stigmatizing condition or label, such as “drug user,” are a threat to themselves or the safety of the community (Pescosolido & Martin, 2015).…”

“…Unfortunately, not all departments have developed such policies, and many officers have reported negative feelings toward harm-reduction strategies (Beletsky et al, 2005; Burris et al, 2009; Green et al, 2013; Saunders et al, 2019). Prior research suggests that stigma may be one barrier to overcome to fully implement harm-reduction policies in the criminal justice system and to combat the opioid epidemic (Formica et al, 2018; Kruis & Choi, 2020; Kruis et al, 2020; Murphy & Russell, 2020). However, the available research on provider-based stigma in the system is scant, and the NIJ (2019) has suggested that more research needs to be conducted on the use of law enforcement personnel as entry points into treatment for substance using persons.…”