As part of their capstone project, graduate students in Planning and Public Affairs analyzed the current opioid crisis in the greater Clinton area and made policy recommendations to address the issue. 

Public concern about opioids combined with large, multi-state legal settlements with pharmaceutical companies have created an opportunity for communities like Clinton to explore policy options for addressing opioids. Opioid use disorder can have devastating effects on individuals, their families, and their communities as it can lead to health problems, job insecurity, financial hardship, and death.

This group's research and data collection focused on the lack of access to treatment and the presence of stigma surrounding OUD/SUD. They sought to identify and evaluate evidence-based policy options to address the barriers associated with treatment access and stigma in Clinton. 

This project builds on work done in the Fall 2022 semester involving the MPA Project Team and two additional students.