Transdisciplinary Research Perspective: Epidemiological Criminology as an Emerging Theoretical Framework for Substance Abuse Research

Abstract

Substance use poses an important transdisciplinary problem both conceptually and methodologically. This transdisciplinary nature of substance use requires an awareness of distinctions between public health and criminal justice systems organizationally, theoretically, and methodologically. Public health researchers have been employing a plethora of interventions and treatment, evaluating policies, and assessing the etiology of substance abuse for decades. At the same time, criminal justice researchers have created and evaluated drug courts, treatment programs in correctional settings, and policing tactics intended to reduce drug use. In this chapter, we suggest that researchers consider the possibility of integrating disciplines; particularly, epidemiology and criminology, to bring forth new and innovative interdisciplinary thinking. Given the complexity of substance use as a social problem, the development of epidemiological criminology as an emerging science can provide unique insight that may serve to help us learn, prevent, and reduce the costly burden of substance use and abuse in the United States.