On July 18, 2018 at 2PM ET, the Smart Policing Initiative (SPI) presented a webinar on “Addressing the Opioid Crisis through SPI Initiatives.” This online, interactive, seminar engaged both the law enforcement and health professionals on how SPI sites are addressing the opioid epidemic in their communities. Participants gained a better understanding of the state of the epidemic across the country as well as heard from SPI sites that are addressing this issue in innovative and measured ways.
Ms. Tara Kunkel, a Senior Drug Policy Advisor at the Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, discussed the status of the opioid crisis across the nation.
Examples of SPI initiatives addressing this issue in interdisciplinary ways were provided by:
- Maryann Ballotta the Director of Public Safety Research and Planning, Lowell Police Department.
- Mr. Joe Balles, the Madison Addiction Recovery Initiative Project Coordinator, Madison Police Department.
Ms. Hildy Saizow, SPI senior subject expert, facilitated the webinar discussion and emphasized the current context by discussing the opioid crisis as it pertains to law enforcement.
