Keywords

mixed methods, overdose, harm reduction, hospitality, hotels, GIS

Abstract

This exploratory research assesses the relationship between unintentional fatal overdoses and hospitality environments, with a special focus on the Central Florida region, due to its high annual tourism rates. Multiple methodologies are used to determine the frequency of unintentional fatal overdoses across five calendar years in hotels and motels, analyze statistical significance between location of death and other demographic factors, geographically depict locations of overdoses, and analyze the role that hospitality staff plays in preventing or responding to fatal overdoses on their properties.

Upon analyzing overdose data from the District Nine Medical Examiner’s Office Medical Examiner, it was found that 8.4% of unintentional overdose deaths occurred in a hotel or motel in Orange County, and 10.7% of unintentional overdose deaths occurred in a hotel or motel in Osceola County. Geospatial analysis revealed distinct patterns in overdose locations and frequencies, which were congregated in specific geographic areas. Semi-structured interviews were conducted at hotel/motel locations across Orange and Osceola Counties, where hospitality management was interviewed about their experiences, their roles, current procedures, and reservations they would have with implementing programs to reduce fatal overdose. Thematic analysis of the interviews revealed five emerging themes among hospitality management: reluctance in getting involved, “see something, say something,” support for harm reduction and prevention, experiences with drug use, and role of property type.

With very minimal existing literature on the topic, this study establishes hotels and motels as locations where overdoses happen and identifies different ways to approach the opioid epidemic that can be used to reduce overdose mortality in hotels and motels while considering the roles and opinions of hospitality staff.

Completion Date

2024

Semester

Summer

Committee Chair

Donley, Amy

Degree

Master of Arts (M.A.)

College

College of Sciences

Department

Sociology

Format

application/pdf

Release Date

8-15-2024

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Masters Thesis (Open Access)

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

Accessibility Status

Meets minimum standards for ETDs/HUTs

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