On July 18, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. ET, Strategies for Policing Innovation (SPI) will present a webinar on “Addressing the Opioid Crisis through SPI Initiatives.” This online, interactive, seminar will engage both the law enforcement and health professionals on how SPI sites are addressing the opioid epidemic in their communities. Participants will gain a better understanding of the state of the epidemic across the country, as well as hear from SPI sites that are addressing this issue in innovative and measured ways.
Ms. Hildy Saizow, SPI senior subject expert, will facilitate the webinar and set the context by discussing the opioid crisis as it pertains to law enforcement. Ms. Tara Kunkel, Senior Drug Policy Advisor at the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, will discuss the status of the opioid crisis across the nation.
Examples of SPI initiatives addressing this issue in interdisciplinary ways will be provided by:
- Maryann Ballotta, Director of Public Safety Research and Planning, Lowell, Massachusetts Police Department;
- Captain Dean Isabella, Commander of the Special Projects Unit, Providence, Rhode Island Police Department; and
- Mr. Joe Balles, Madison Addiction Recovery Initiative Project Coordinator, Madison, Wisconsin Police Department.