Opioid Epidemic: The Justice, Health, and Social Systems

Abstract

Criminal Justice, healthcare, and social systems must all coincide together, through thick and thin. This study focuses on the thick aspects of these systems, specifically the current opioid addiction crisis. Officials are stumped by the epidemic that has spread across the respective American Midwest, and are still seeking a solution. A critical literature review will be used to better examine the issue, and to bring to the fore a possible solution to the problem. The research questions that will be addressed are what types of drugs are individuals most likely to use, what are the risks of using them, and how do they affect Criminal Justice, and what type of person is most likely to be affected by drug abuse, how can we get people to stop using drugs, and what can we do reduce the risks of people becoming addicted? Three recommendations are made based on the critical literature reviews, as well as an analysis of the literature.