Year of Publication
2023
College
Public Health
Date Available
4-24-2023
Degree Name
Master of Public Health (M.P.H.)
Committee Member
Elizabeth Riley, PhD
Advisor
Julia Costich, JD, PhD
Co-Director of Graduate Studies
Kathi Harp, PhD
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to implement and examine a new surveillance system for Kentucky State Police’s forensics unit to track trends of illicit drugs and drug trafficking, and to see if the implementation of this new system was associated with a decrease in overall drug counts over a period of five months. An extensive review of the literature showed that the drug epidemic in the United States continues to worsen, with public health and law enforcement institutions leading the fight in attempting to end the epidemic, but little evidence showing these two joining forces to work together.
Results showed that the implementation of this surveillance system was associated with significant decreases in overall drug counts from baseline to follow up. An overall decrease of 9.24% between baseline and follow up was found after the implementation of a new surveillance system that utilizes Tableau software to periodically track drug trends. Additionally, this research can provide valuable insight for combatting the drug epidemic, since it is at the forefront of the drug epidemic and drug overdose epidemic.
Recommended Citation
Van Hosen, Julia, "REAL-TIME SURVEILLANCE OF THE DRUG EPIDEMIC: AN ASSESSMENT AND COMPARATIVE VISUALIZATION OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY" (2023). Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.). 369.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/cph_etds/369
