Disciplines

Applied Statistics | Biostatistics | Data Science | Statistical Methodology | Substance Abuse and Addiction

Abstract (300 words maximum)

Having lost a friend six years ago to an accidental cocaine overdose, I am very passionate about spreading awareness of accidental drug overdoses that have affected thousands of families countrywide. According to past research, deaths resulting from opiates specifically have been on the rise, and a significant number of deaths in the United States for those below fifty years are caused by drug overdoses. Data exists indicating which states have more overdoses. The data set I will be using includes variables on race, sex, age, drug with which person overdosed, location of the overdose, ultimate cause of death and year of the overdose.

My research focuses on the following questions. What age groups are more likely to die of accidental drug overdose? What kinds of opiates are more likely to cause accidental drug-related death? Is type of drug (opiate and non-opiate) more likely to cause the accidental overdose? Is race related to the likelihood of dying of accidental overdose? Are males more likely to die of an overdose than females? Do males die at a younger age of accidental overdose than females? Does the location where the individual overdosed predict the type of overdose? Does the cause of death predict the age of the individual who died of a drug overdose? Where are the victims are more likely to die of accidental drug overdose? Are opioid overdoses more prevalent in recent years? Through increased understanding of relationships and predictors of drug overdoses, I seek to identify ways to reduce these tragedies.

Academic department under which the project should be listed

CCSE - Data Science and Analytics

Primary Investigator (PI) Name

Susan Mathews Hardy

Additional Faculty

Austin Brown, Statistics and Analytical Sciences, abrow708@kennesaw.edu

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Accidental Overdoses: Insights to Aid in Prevention

Having lost a friend six years ago to an accidental cocaine overdose, I am very passionate about spreading awareness of accidental drug overdoses that have affected thousands of families countrywide. According to past research, deaths resulting from opiates specifically have been on the rise, and a significant number of deaths in the United States for those below fifty years are caused by drug overdoses. Data exists indicating which states have more overdoses. The data set I will be using includes variables on race, sex, age, drug with which person overdosed, location of the overdose, ultimate cause of death and year of the overdose.

My research focuses on the following questions. What age groups are more likely to die of accidental drug overdose? What kinds of opiates are more likely to cause accidental drug-related death? Is type of drug (opiate and non-opiate) more likely to cause the accidental overdose? Is race related to the likelihood of dying of accidental overdose? Are males more likely to die of an overdose than females? Do males die at a younger age of accidental overdose than females? Does the location where the individual overdosed predict the type of overdose? Does the cause of death predict the age of the individual who died of a drug overdose? Where are the victims are more likely to die of accidental drug overdose? Are opioid overdoses more prevalent in recent years? Through increased understanding of relationships and predictors of drug overdoses, I seek to identify ways to reduce these tragedies.