The Effectiveness of Problem-Oriented and Intelligence-Led Policing on Reducing Illicit Fentanyl Overdoses

Abstract

The proliferation of illicit fentanyl has led to an increasing number of overdose deaths in the United States, fueling the ongoing American opioid epidemic. These overdose deaths have created a heightened demand for police narcotics units to reduce supply and investigate those responsible for distribution and trafficking, largely from China and Mexico. Due to its proximity to the Southwestern border and shipping routes from East Asia to the Port of Long Beach, the City of Long Beach, California (CA) has become a gateway for illicit fentanyl to enter the United States. As a result, Long Beach may be an ideal location to implement a problem-oriented and intelligence-based policing strategy to respond to illicit fentanyl. Beginning in 2020, the Long Beach Police Department’s Drug Investigation Section partnered with a university research team and hired an intelligence analyst to enhance investigations into illicit fentanyl distribution networks. The current study examines the impact of this initiative using CA fentanyl overdose data. This study uses data from a National Institute of Justice (NIJ) funded project on the investigation of fentanyl distribution networks in the City of Long Beach. A general linear model (GLM) repeated measures was utilized to determine whether there was a difference in overdose rates after the implementation of a problem-oriented policing (POP) and intelligent-led policing (ILP) intervention. Results suggest that the POP and ILP intervention has not significantly reduced fentanyl overdoses in Long Beach; however, the reasons for this null result may be multi-faceted. The results of this study may inform future law enforcement responses to illicit fentanyl distribution and overdose deaths.