Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

A Comparison Of Appalachian And Non-Appalachian Kentucky Dui Offenders, Megan F. Dickson, Megan Kissel, J. Matthew Webster

Journal of Appalachian Health

Background: Driving under the influence has been an overlooked consequence of the opioid epidemic. Although recent reports have highlighted the increased prevalence of DUI in rural communities and the extensive mental health problems and criminal and drug use histories among rural Appalachian DUI offenders, it is unclear how Appalachian DUI populations compare to DUI offenders in other regions.

Purpose: To help fill this void in the literature, the current study uses a statewide sample to examine how Appalachian DUI offenders differ from non-Appalachian DUI offenders in a predominantly rural state.

Methods: Assessment records were examined for 11,640 Kentucky DUI offenders …

There Are Multiple And Geographically Distinct Opioid Crises In The U.S., Shannon M. Monnat

Population Health Research Brief Series

Rates of fatal drug overdose increased 250% in the U.S. between 1999 and 2017, due in large part to a massive surge in overdoses involving opioids. However, there is substantial geographic variation in fatal opioid overdoses, and prescription opioids, heroin, and fentanyl are differentially responsible for high overdose rates across different parts of the U.S. This research brief summarizes the findings from a study just published in the American Journal of Public Health. The study shows that there are at least four geographically distinct opioid overdose crises in the U.S.

Substance Use Prevention: Communication And Strategies To Reduce Alcohol, Marijuana, And E-Cigarette Use Among College Students, Emily Bauer

Muskie School Capstones and Dissertations

Substance use among college students impacts universities, communities and student outcomes across the United States. Based on the Monitoring the Future study (MTF), college students have a higher prevalence of past 30-day alcohol use at 63% than their non-college peers (59%) (2016). Nearly one-third of college students (32%) have had five or more drinks in a row in the past two weeks (2016). Monthly marijuana use for college students has remained steady at 22% (2016). Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use is 6.9%, which is gaining in popularity but still lower than traditional cigarettes (8.9%) (2016). There are many prevention communication strategies …

Lending A Hand: Healthcare Cost And Treatment Impact Of Peer Recovery Services, A Review Of The Literature, Nicholas J. Bush

Senior Honors Projects

Background: In the United States, the need for mental health and substance misuse treatment has been on the rise leading to an increase in healthcare costs and a reduction in barriers to care. Recently, there has been a growing interest in implementing peer support services (PSS) to increase access to care, improve treatment outcomes, and reduce healthcare related costs, such as emergency room visits, psychiatric hospitalization, and crisis stabilization.

Aims: This Honors project reports on a systematic review of the literature on treatment outcomes associated with PSS in mental health and/or substance misuse populations. It reviews the evidence that PSS …