Interested members of the U of T community who would like to attend the seminars can email Kendra Hunter at hunter@mie.utoronto.ca

Professor Jonathan Caulkins
Carnegie Mellon University

Systems Modeling to Inform Policy Toward Illegal Drugs, the Opioid Epidemic, and Prescribed Safer Supply

Abstract
This talk will illustrate what happens when formal training in operational analysis meets a “wicked problem” with multiple conflicting objectives, competing agency priorities, and data gaps – specifically the question of how to respond to illegal drug markets and use.

The first half will show highlights from my 35+ years working in that area, stressing ways that operations research (OR) tools and models have been insightful.

The second half will cover recent work on a specific and controversial Canadian policy initiative, namely trying to reduce overdose deaths by having the government provide “Prescribed Safer Supply” (PSS). The PSS work is topical and shows that sometimes all one needs is numeracy and common sense, not the full panoply OR tools, to provide new perspectives on a complex problem.

My domain expertise is deepest for illegal drugs, but I am interested in and happy to discuss all sorts of illegal markets and supply chains. A current project has me thinking about the relationships and contrasts between human trafficking, wildlife trafficking, illegal fishing, money laundering, counterfeit goods, and other illegal supply chains.

Biography
Jonathan P. Caulkins is the Stever University Professor of Operations Research and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College and a member of the National Academy of Engineering.

Dr. Caulkins specializes in systems analysis of the supply chains supporting illegal markets, particularly problems pertaining to drugs, crime, terror, and prevention. Issues surrounding opioid markets and regulation, COVID-19 and cannabis legalization have been a focus in recent years.

The views Dr. Caulkins will offer are his own, and do not represent those of Carnegie Mellon, RAND, or any other institution with which he is affiliated.

MIE’s Distinguished Seminar Series features top international researchers and leading experts across major areas of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Engineering. The speakers present about their latest research and offer their perspectives on the current state of their field. The seminars are part of the program requirements for MIE Master of Applied Science and PhD students. The Distinguished Seminar Series is coordinated for 2024-2025 by Associate Professor Enid Montague.

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