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In this podcast, we will be exploring how two different organizations use Peer Recovery Support Services to strengthen the collaboration of their substance use, mental health, and law enforcement professionals and service provision from across the country. Episode one will provide an overview of these two organizations programs and the use of the Sequential Intercept Model.

Moderator

• Mickenzie Simmons, Behavioral Health Analyst, Altarum

Panalists

• Sadie Thompson, The Wellbeing Initiatives, Inc., Lincoln, Nebraska
• Rich Alexander, Burlington County, New Jersey, Prosecutors Office

Episodes

• Episode 2
• Episode 3
• Episode 4
• Conclusion

Transcript (coming soon)

In this podcast, we will be exploring how two different organizations use Peer Recovery Support Services to strengthen the collaboration of their substance use, mental health, and law enforcement professionals and service provision from across the country. Episode two will provide an overview of the partnerships these two organizations utilize.

Moderator

• Mickenzie Simmons, Behavioral Health Analyst, Altarum

Panalists

• Sadie Thompson, The Wellbeing Initiatives, Inc., Lincoln, Nebraska
• Rich Alexander, Burlington County, New Jersey, Prosecutors Office

Episodes

• Episode 1
• Episode 3
• Episode 4
• Conclusion

Transcript (coming soon)

In this podcast, we will be exploring how two different organizations use Peer Recovery Support Services to strengthen the collaboration of their substance use, mental health, and law enforcement professionals and service provision from across the country. Episode three will provide an overview of how these two organizations use equitable programming in their organizations.

Moderator

• Mickenzie Simmons, Behavioral Health Analyst, Altarum

Panalists

• Sadie Thompson, The Wellbeing Initiatives, Inc., Lincoln, Nebraska
• Rich Alexander, Burlington County, New Jersey, Prosecutors Office

Episodes

• Episode 1
• Episode 2
• Episode 4
• Conclusion

Transcript (coming soon)

In this podcast, we will be exploring how two different organizations use Peer Recovery Support Services to strengthen the collaboration of their substance use, mental health, and law enforcement professionals and service provision from across the country. Episode four will provide an overview of the sustainability these two organizations have.

Moderator

• Mickenzie Simmons, Behavioral Health Analyst, Altarum

Panalists

• Sadie Thompson, The Wellbeing Initiatives, Inc., Lincoln, Nebraska
• Rich Alexander, Burlington County, New Jersey, Prosecutors Office

Episodes

• Episode 1
• Episode 2
• Episode 3
• Conclusion

Transcript (coming soon)

In this podcast, we will be exploring how two different organizations use Peer Recovery Support Services to strengthen the collaboration of their substance use, mental health, and law enforcement professionals and service provision from across the country. Episode five will provide a final thought on this podcast series.

Moderator

• Mickenzie Simmons, Behavioral Health Analyst, Altarum

Panalists

• Sadie Thompson, The Wellbeing Initiatives, Inc., Lincoln, Nebraska
• Rich Alexander, Burlington County, New Jersey, Prosecutors Office

Episodes

• Episode 1
• Episode 2
• Episode 3
• Episode 4

Transcript (coming soon)

He also shares his unique perspective on how the opioid epidemic has presented significant challenges to communities across the country. Mr. Menapace is an assistant fire chief in Mount Vernon, Ohio, responsible for overseeing EMS, fire operations, and the Prevention Bureau, as well as improving the delivery of services to the community. He also implemented Whitehall’s Help for Overdose (WHO) program to help reduce opioid misuse, addiction, and fatalities by assisting with treatment, recovery, and prevention of opioid usage.

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As a mental health professional and first responder, Ms. Fairchild is adamant about shifting from a culture of shaming to a culture of supporting.  In this segment, she focuses on the impact of trauma and the importance of taking a holistic approach to promoting healing and reducing stigma by integrating strategies that strengthen families and offer support to avoid dismantling the family unit.

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This has been funded through COSSAP’s Tribal Responses to Drug Overdoses Initiative. This COSSAP grantee site's recovery and harm reduction efforts are highlighted in this podcast.

Justice Today, the official podcast of the Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs, focuses on programmatic and policy efforts to address chronic and emerging criminal justice challenges nationwide.

This episode's speaker is:

Carolyn Hardin, Director of Training and Research, National Association of Drug Court Professionals

Peer Recovery Support Services (PRSS) are an important part of efforts to effectively address the opioid and other substance use epidemic.  In recent years, the use of PRSS within criminal justice settings has been recognized as a vital part of the continuum of care for efforts to address alcohol and drug use among this population.  While this is an emerging practice, initial programs demonstrate the potential for recovery-oriented and peer-led services to provide support to justice-involved individuals who are struggling with an opioid or other substance use disorder.  This podcast highlights the successes, challenges, and lessons learned from three different peer programs from across the nation, as they navigate integrating peer specialists into various roles and touchpoints across the sequential intercept, particularly throughout an unprecedented global pandemic.

Host

• Mariah Black-Watson, Analyst, Altarum

Moderator

• Katie Basu, Former Substance Use Disorder Specialist, Altarum

Speakers

• AnaBell Cadena, Program Specialist, City of Albuquerque, New Mexico
• Andrea Ramalho, Senior Program Manager for Alternative Public Safety Strategies, Paterson Police Department, Paterson, New Jersey,
• Coralee Schmitz, Chief Operations Officer, Rimrock Foundation, Billings, Montana
• Annette Redding, Director of Peer Support, Rimrock Foundation

A transcript of this podcast is available.

This podcast provides an overview of patient matching, explain the challenges and opportunities for PDMPs in this area and detail the efforts of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology or ONC.

A transcript of this podcast is available at https://www.pdmpassist.org/pdf/resources/TTAC_Podcast_Patient Matching_transcript.pdf

Polysubstance use dramatically increases the potential for overdose or negative side effects of drug use. While there is no “one-size-fits-all" description of a person who uses drugs, there is one common thread linking them together: the danger they face when multiple substances are at play in their system.

Josh Yohannan’s experience in expanding the use of forensic analysis in intelligence for law enforcement has helped communities better understand polysubstance use, ultimately making it easier to identify emerging drug threats during the opioid epidemic. Listen along as he discusses polysubstance abuse, the complexities of identifying new drug trends, and the value of quality and timely data in this episode of Just Science.

This season is in collaboration with the Bureau of Justice Assistance Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program funding to respond to illicit substance use and misuse in order to reduce overdose deaths, promote public safety, and support access to services.

This episode of Just Science is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence [Award 2016-MU-BX-K110].

There is no shortage of stigma surrounding the overdose crisis facing our nation. The proliferation of stigma and its impact are constant battles for practitioners and organizations dedicated to combating the problem. Clarence Jordan, Vice President of Wellness and Recovery at Beacon Health Options, and his team enhance their efforts to provide recovery-based principles and behavioral health services through education and community engagement. Listen along as he discusses peer support programs, stigma as a barrier to mental health treatment, and the role of education in the de-stigmatization of substance abuse disorder in this episode of Just Science.

This season is in collaboration with the Bureau of Justice Assistance Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program funding to respond to illicit substance use and misuse in order to reduce overdose deaths, promote public safety, and support access to services.

This episode of Just Science is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence [Award 2016-MU-BX-K110].

In episode eight, Just Science interviews DeMia Presley from the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) Diversion Control Division. The National Forensic Laboratory Information System, otherwise known as NFLIS, is a DEA program that collects results of forensic analyses and other related information from local, regional, and national entities. What sets NFLIS apart from other similar programs is that participation is 100% voluntary. As such, DeMia Presley and other members of NFLIS work hard to collect information and share what they have learned with the forensic community. Listen to the discussion of the purpose of the NFLIS program, the importance of partnerships within the forensic community, and how NFLIS data is used to inform drug policy and drug enforcement initiatives.

This season is in collaboration with the Bureau of Justice Assistance Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program funding to respond to illicit substance use and misuse in order to reduce overdose deaths, promote public safety, and support access to services.

This episode of Just Science is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence [Award 2016-MU-BX-K110].

This podcast focuses on OFR, an effective way to identify innovative community-specific overdose prevention strategies that blends input from public health, criminal justice, public safety, providers, and the community to provide a deeper understanding of the missed opportunities for prevention and intervention.

The Legislative Analysis and Public Policy Association (LAPPA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to conduct legal and legislative research and analysis and draft legislation on effective law and policy in the areas of public safety and health, substance use disorders, and the criminal justice system. For additional information on LAPPA, please visit https://legislativeanalysis.org/.

Community-based research takes place within community settings and involves community members which allows a better understanding of the struggles that each specific population faces. Dr. Alex Kral's community-based research approaches help to inform drug policy and provides communities the ability to develop innovative strategies to improve outcomes for people who use drugs. Listen along as Dr. Kral discusses the historical context for drug policy, Measure 110 in Oregon, and the Arnold Ventures Project in this episode of Just Science.

This season is in collaboration with the Bureau of Justice Assistance Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program funding to respond to illicit substance use and misuse in order to reduce overdose deaths, promote public safety, and support access to services.

This episode of Just Science is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence [Award 2016-MU-BX-K110].

In this episode, Just Science interviews Tim Black of the White Bird Clinic in Eugene, Oregon, about the CAHOOTS program, a community-based public safety model that provides mental health first response for crises involving mental illness, homelessness, and substance use disorder.

In 1989, the White Bird Clinic in Eugene, Oregon, launched the Crisis Assistance Helping Out on the Streets program, otherwise known as the CAHOOTS program. The CAHOOTS program provides 24/7 mobile crisis intervention services to those in need, including people experiencing homelessness or living with mental health conditions.

Tim Black has been working with young people experiencing homelessness long before joining CAHOOTS in 2010. Now, he continues to help build the CAHOOTS program locally and nationally as the Director of Consulting at the White Bird Clinic. Listen along as he discusses the CAHOOTS model, community-based public safety, and alternative models for crisis response in this episode of Just Science.

This season is in collaboration with the Bureau of Justice Assistance Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program funding to respond to illicit substance use and misuse in order to reduce overdose deaths, promote public safety, and support access to services.

This episode of Just Science is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence [Award 2016-MU-BX-K110].

The National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) is the only state-based reporting system that covers all types of violent deaths, including homicides and suicides. It pools more than 600 unique data elements from multiple sources into an anonymous, usable database. Dr. Mallory O’Brien used her experience with NVDRS to improve the overdose fatality review process.

Listen along as she discusses leveraging partnerships to enhance overdose fatality reviews, their impact on communities with substance abuse problems, and the historical context that led to fatality reviews in this episode of Just Science.

This season is in collaboration with the Bureau of Justice Assistance Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program funding to respond to illicit substance use and misuse in order to reduce overdose deaths, promote public safety, and support access to services.

This episode of Just Science is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence [Award 2016-MU-BX-K110].

In this episode, Just Science talks with Bonnie Dunn, Co-Director of the West Virginia Healthy Grandfamilies Project, about a free initiative that provides information and resources to grandparents who are raising one or more of their grandchildren.

Incarcerated, addicted, or deceased parents can force children into foster care or alternative family structures. As a product of a grandparent-led household, Bonnie Dunn is keenly aware of the needs and value of these alternative family structures. Now, she serves as the Co-Director of the West Virginia Healthy Grandfamilies Project. Listen along as discusses the Healthy Grandfamilies Project, kinship care, and the need for similar programs in this episode of Just Science.

This season is in collaboration with the Bureau of Justice Assistance Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program funding to respond to illicit substance use and misuse in order to reduce overdose deaths, promote public safety, and support access to services.

This episode of Just Science is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence [Award 2016-MU-BX-K110].

The Center for Forensic Science Research and Education (CFSRE) oversees a collaborative effort to better understand emerging drug threats. CFSRE researchers Amanda Mohr and Dr. Alex Krotulski are working on a project called NPS Discovery, a model for monitoring, forecasting, and responding to emerging novel psychoactive substances. Listen along as the guests return to "Just Science" to discuss NPS Discovery, analytical challenges associated with novel psychoactive substances, and the value of community partnerships.

This episode of Just Science is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence [Award 2016-MU-BX-K110].

"Just Science" continues the conversation with Dr. Zibbell as he discusses the American history of drug epidemics, what we can learn from past stimulant crises, and the importance of tailoring interventions in this episode of "Just Science."

This installment in the "Just Science" podcast series is collaboratively supported by BJA's COSSAP and the National Institute of Justice's Forensic Technology Center of Excellence.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every facet of our society. Along with businesses and organizations, the pandemic has also forced federal, state, and local governments to find new ways to provide vital services. This podcast will explore the impact the pandemic is having on the Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs. PDMPs are state government programs that collect information about the prescribing and dispensing of controlled substance medications. Even though controlled substances are effective in the treatment of certain medical conditions, they also have the potential to be misused or abused. PDMPs are tools used by prescribers and dispensers to ensure proper use of these medications and to enhance patient care. There are 54 PDMPs nationally, including programs in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

This podcast will provide the listener with an overview of how the pandemic has affected the operations of a few PDMPs, and what PDMP administrators are doing to keep this valuable tool operating for healthcare providers and their patients. We will be talking to four PDMP administrators and explore with them the operational adjustments made in response to the pandemic, changes in reporting of prescription information, any indication of any changes in misuse or abuse of prescription medications, review any changes in the prescribing or dispensing patterns resulting from the pandemic, and what the impact the COVID-19 pandemic may have on future budgets and operations of PDMPs.

A transcript of the podcast is available: Impact of Covid-19 on PDMPs Transcript

The world of medical anthropology offers a very different perspective of the current rise in illicit substance abuse. While much of the research surrounding overdose and drug trends tends to be retrospective, anthropologists like Dr. Zibbell are working on ways to predict trends instead of identifying them posthumously. Listen along as he discusses the waves of the opioid epidemic, the impact they have on communities, and how we can apply the data we are gathering in this episode of "Just Science."

This installment in the "Just Science" podcast series is collaboratively supported by BJA's COSSAP and the National Institute of Justice's Forensic Technology Center of Excellence.

Stay at home and social distancing orders have changed how peer recovery support programs are supporting participants during their most vulnerable moments. Some programs have extended and enhanced their existing technology assisted peer support to continue making personal and timely connections.  In this podcast, we profile three peer recovery support services programs in different organizational settings to learn how their programming has changed in response to COVID-19, and the role technology has played in their programs before entering the pandemic. In our first segment, we hear from Wendy Jones, executive director of Minnesota recovery connection

You will hear from Wendy Jones, Minnesota Recovery Connection; Melissa Pierson at Franklin County, Ohio, Office of Justice Policy and Programs; and Tiffany Lombardo at Butler County Mental Health and Addiction Services Board. Overall, the experience with the unexpected shifts to peer support primarily through technology-assisted peer support has been a positive one. Even after this pandemic, many programs anticipate seeing more virtual supports offered alongside in-person support.

Presenters

• Wendy Jones, Executive Director, Minnesota Recovery Connection
• Melissa Pierson, Deputy Director, Franklin County, Ohio, Office of Justice Policy and Programs
• Tiffany Lombardo, MA, LISW-S, LICDC-CS, Associate Director of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services, Butler County Mental Health and Addiction Services Board

A transcript of this podcast is available.

Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division Brian Rabbitt speaks with Matt Lloyd, Principal Deputy Director of Public Affairs, about how DOJ’s Criminal Division is working to combat the opioid epidemic.

If you or someone you know suffers from opioid addiction, get help by visiting www.FindTreatment.gov or by calling the National Hotline at 1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4357) Both the website and hotline are run by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

A transcript of this podcast can be viewed at https://www.justice.gov/podcasts/criminal-division-discusses-combating-opioid-crisis.