Identifying Police Perspectives About Substance Abuse: Transformational Learning in Law Enforcement

Law enforcement agencies across the country are confronted with the problems associated with substance abuse. Law enforcement personnel receive only cursory training on substance abuse and lack targeted training that addresses the complex problems that are associated with it, such as co-existing mental health issues. This study, conducted on behalf of a state-wide Sheriff’s Association, identified officer beliefs and attitudes towards substance abuse to make training recommendations that are better tailored to officer’s training needs. The study sample included 633 certified law enforcement or correctional staff from 22 counties. The Police Officer’s Attitude’s’ Towards Narcotics Crime survey was modified to measure officer attitudes and beliefs toward substance abuse within their communities which show that members attitudes do not support moderate to long-term incarceration for those suffering from substance abuse and feel that much of substance abuse is related to mental health problems. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to analyze the data and identify the attitudes members have toward substance abuse showing that many members do not believe that moderate to long term incarceration is appropriate for those suffering from substance abuse and that mental health and substance abuse often co-occur. Training recommendations focused on reinforcing those positive attitudes and beliefs that were identified such as treating substance abuse from a mental health approach and focusing on earlier intervention and treatment over incarceration. A final recommendation suggested that policy and practice be aligned and that alternatives to arrest by agency members be encouraged.