People Who Use Opioids’ Encounters With Criminal Justice Personnel: A Qualitative Analysis

There is little research in the U.S. on the interactions of people who use opioids (PWUO) with criminal justice personnel, from their perspective. This study reports on the experiences with police and criminal justice personnel of 27 men and women in treatment for substance use disorder. In-depth interviews revealed that many respondents had had aversive experiences with the criminal justice system, including both physical and verbal abuse. Very few report receiving information on treatment from police. The evidence suggests that many police officers do not view opioid use disorder as a medical condition, and instead stigmatize PWUO. This study reveals that PWUO, like members of other marginalized groups, are often targets of police maltreatment. Despite the fact that police may play a lifesaving role in cases of opioid overdose, these findings indicate the problematic nature of police response to overdose and opioid-related offenses.