Drug Abuse Policy Surveillance System

Legal Science Partners, Llc, Narberth PA

Investigators

Abstract

Project Summary Abstract: Legal Science (LS) provides innovative solutions using legal research expertise with machine intelligence to empower users with a clearer understanding of the law so they can conduct rigorous evaluation research, make better decisions and positively impact lives. With this administrative supplement, we plan on extending the reach of our research, software tools, and outcome analysis from DAPS Phase II by exploring the current opioid crisis in the context of the criminal justice system. Opioid drug overdose has become a significant source of preventable mortality and health care utilization in the United States. One of the populations hit the hardest by this crisis are those who find themselves in the criminal justice system. Several public policies have a direct impact on how the criminal justice population fares when it comes to opioid addiction treatment. These policies also shape how the justice system interacts with other systems, like the health care system, to treat persons in need of addiction care from the moment of arrest through incarceration and probation. Scientifically valid legal data is the starting point for the evaluation of the impact of these laws, policies and their implementation. This supplement will use scientifically sound, transparent methods to collect, code and publish laws, regulations and other formalized opioid-related policies relevant to the criminal justice system on the Prescription Drug Abuse Policy System (PDAPS) website. Coding will encompass key variables of interest for each type of law, and will be accomplished using MonQcle, LS?s content management software specifically designed for efficient and accurate coding and publishing legal data in longitudinal datasets. This project will then use the Health Outcome Policy Evaluation (HOPE) laboratory, developed during DAPS Phase II, to overlay health outcome data on one of the dataset topics to analyze the measure?s impact and generate a publishable report. This expansion will be publicized alongside the launch of the new LS website with a focused communications plan and social media campaign.