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March 2004 (Volume 82)
Quarterly Article
Scott Burris
Kim M. Blankenship
Martin Donoghoe
Susan Sherman
Jon S. Vernick
Patricia Case
Zita Lazzarini
Stephen Koester
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Ecological models of the determinants of health and the consequent importance of structural interventions have been widely accepted, but using these models in research and practice has been challenging. Examining the role of criminal law enforcement in the “risk environment” of injection drug users (IDUs) provides an opportunity to apply structural thinking to the health problems associated with drug use. This article reviews international evidence that laws and law enforcement practices influence IDU risk. It argues that more research is needed at four levels-laws; management of law enforcement agencies; knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices of frontline officers; and attitudes and experiences of IDUs-and that such research can be the basis of interventions within law enforcement to enhance IDU health.
Author(s): Scott Burris; Kim M. Blankenship; Martin Donoghoe; Susan Sherman; Jon S. Vernick; Patricia Case; Zita Lazzarini; Stephen Koester
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Volume 82, Issue 1 (pages 125–156) DOI: 10.1111/j.0887-378X.2004.00304.x Published in 2004