Association of Neighborhood Characteristics and Travel Patterns With Fatal Drug Overdoses
The topic of low-resource urban areas and their effect on fatal drug doses has been well-studied, with residents considered the primary consumers of local drug markets. However, there has been less discussion regarding inbound travel to such drug markets from those outside of the area; a recent study led by Elizabeth D. Nesoff, PISC External Advisory Board member Charles Branas, and Silvia Martins aimed to fill this gap.
The cross-sectional study examined the travel patterns from home residences to locations of fatal drug overdoses in Cook County, Illinois, specifically for overdoses involving fentanyl and heroin. The associations and characteristics identified are particularly important, since targeting residents of overdose hot spots for intervention may reinforce stereotypes while excluding nonresident people who use drugs from treatment screening and delivery.