Association of Law Enforcement Seizures of Heroin, Fentanyl, and Carfentanil With Opioid Overdose Deaths in Ohio, 2014-2017

In Ohio, increasing opioid overdose deaths are strongly associated with increased seizures of fentanyl and carfentanil by law enforcement. This study is the first to provide evidence that crime lab data can serve as a indicator of growing opioid overdose deaths. The study was conducted by RTI International public health scientist, Jon E. Zibbell, PhD

• How can this study serve as a case to use crime lab data to prevent overdose deaths across the U.S?
• What can we learn from this study?
• What could be added or could have been done differently to make a better case?