Date

8-29-2025

Department

Helms School of Government

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice (PhD)

Chair

Marc Weiss

Keywords

Fentanyl, opioids, crisis, trafficking, law enforcement

Disciplines

Chemicals and Drugs

Abstract

This research investigates how fentanyl has influenced drug trafficking trends and the corresponding response from law enforcement in New York State. It aims to explore the changes in drug trafficking pathways, organizational structures, and methods in this region since fentanyl's emergence and how state law enforcement has adjusted to this new challenge. The study uses a quantitative methodology, analyzing various data from law enforcement records, court documents, and state government reports. The focus is on fentanyl-related drug trafficking cases in New York State over five years. Methods include examining case records and analyzing trafficking patterns statistically. The study will assess fentanyl trafficking trends, including the amounts seized, locations of these seizures, and profiles of traffickers and users. It will also look at overdose death data to gauge fentanyl's public health impact. Various statistical methods will be applied to identify regional trends, relationships, and unusual patterns. This research is crucial as it sheds light on how the drug trafficking scenario is adapting to the introduction of fentanyl in New York State and assists law enforcement in formulating more effective strategies to address this issue. The link between the rise of fentanyl in the drug market and the significant increase in overdose deaths in recent years highlights the importance of this study.

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