Policing SUD: Constraints and Policy Opportunities

Abstract

Substance use disorder (SUD) places substantial demands on public safety systems, with law enforcement and other first responders routinely encountering substance use-related harms in daily work. This paper contributes to a growing body of research examining how law enforcement officers experience this burden and contextualize their role in SUD response. During interviews and focus groups in Kansas, officers highlighted that response options are shaped by high call volumes, limited time, constrained treatment capacity, and limited coordination across criminal legal and health systems. Officers described “revolving doors” of arrest and release, and tensions between enforcement responsibilities and expectations to address health and social needs. Officers recognized SUD as linked to socioeconomic conditions, emphasizing these conditions cannot be addressed through enforcement. They did, however, identify support mechanisms for those needing services, including co-responder models, diversion, and follow-up. Findings highlight the need for coordinated, health-centered policies that reduce reliance on punitive responses.