Publications and Digital Media

This video will briefly describe how you enter a new case and how to decipher the color codes.

The video is part four of a 4-part series and will guide you on locating and updating an existing case.

This video is part one of a 4-part series and will provide information on locating your OFR Data System Project.

This video is part two of a 4-part series and will provide information on additional items on the project home page.

These steps will help to ensure that drug-related deaths are adequately identified and investigated.

In partnership with BJA's COSSAP, the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCoE) and its partners produced a series of short videos on how law enforcement officers, first responders, and other stakeholders can gain knowledge and implement best practices in their role to support effective local, state, and tribal responses to illicit substance use and misuse in order to reduce overdose deaths, promote public safety, and support access to treatment and recovery services in the criminal justice system. This video is the first in the Law Enforcement Roll Call Videos series.

Presenter

• Kelly Keyes, D-ABMDI, Retired Supervising Investigator, Orange County Sheriff's Department, Coroner Division

This meeting will provide new OFR Affinity Group members with information on facilitating OFR meetings.

This meeting will provide new OFR Affinity Group members with information on planning OFR meetings.

This webinar provides information on the new Overdose Fatality Review (OFR) Data System.

The recommendations put forth in the Institute for Innovation in Prosecution's (IIP) guide "A New Approach: A Prosecutor’s Guide to Advancing a Public Health Response to Drug Use" are also discussed. This panel discussion features District Attorney Sherry Boston (DeKalb County, Georgia), Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg (King County, Washington), David Cloud (from Amend at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine) and Andre Ward (from The Fortune Society). The panel is moderated by IIP Deputy Director Alissa Marque Heydari.

Tele Rabii talks about his journey to recovery and his personal experience with drug court.

Harm reduction experts Robert Childs and Ronald Martin discuss the vital role harm reduction plays in reducing drug overdose deaths and the importance of eliminating barriers to care.

Andre Ward talks about his personal experiences with the criminal system as a result of a drug-trafficking related crime, and his current work at The Fortune Society.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Karen Varriale (Kings County, NY) and case manager Jose Ramos discuss the Brooklyn Collaborative Legal Engagement Assistance Response (CLEAR) program.

Julie Eldred discusses her experience with substance use disorder, the court system, and her path to recovery.

District Attorney Sherry Boston (DeKalb County, GA), senior prosecutor Grace Wiener Ritter (King County, WA), and senior prosecutor Chris Martin (Ingham County, MI) discuss the intersection of drug use and public safety, reshaping office policies to support public health needs, and Seattle’s Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program.

Dr. Melinda Campopiano discusses the physical effects of substance use disorder, the nature of recurring use, and the medical treatment options for opioid use disorder.

Learn how and why a comprehensive (360 degree) approach to overdose prevention incorporates both the Public Health and Safety Team (PHAST) framework and overdose fatality reviews (OFR).

This video was developed by Impact Marketing and Communications and premiered at the Overdose Fatality Review Mid-Year Meeting on August 25, 2021.

The BJA/OVC National Stakeholder Partnership (NSP) Product Showcase and Collaboration Series includes three 2-hour meetings during which participants:

• Meet the National Stakeholder Partners and learn about them/their work
• Experience an exhibit of publications and webinars developed by the NSP member organizations and get a sneak peek of products under development
• Learn about the intersection of the products and current efforts within the context of the BJA/OVC opioid and broader substance abuse initiatives, including  opportunities for advanced cross-disciplinary work
• Lend your voice to a critical dialogue with the NSP members to identify opportunities to utilize the NSP products towards improved outcomes for children, youth,  and families
• Explore lessons learned and remaining challenges/questions in the field related to the identified focus areas

The BJA/OVC National Stakeholder Partnership (NSP) Product Showcase and Collaboration Series includes three 2-hour meetings during which participants:

• Meet the National Stakeholder Partners and learn about them/their work
• Experience an exhibit of publications and webinars developed by the NSP member organizations and get a sneak peek of products under development
• Learn about the intersection of the products and current efforts within the context of the BJA/OVC opioid and broader substance abuse initiatives, including  opportunities for advanced cross-disciplinary work
• Lend your voice to a critical dialogue with the NSP members to identify opportunities to utilize the NSP products towards improved outcomes for children, youth,  and families
• Explore lessons learned and remaining challenges/questions in the field related to the identified focus areas

The BJA/OVC National Stakeholder Partnership (NSP) Product Showcase and Collaboration Series includes three 2-hour meetings during which participants:

• Meet the National Stakeholder Partners and learn about them/their work
• Experience an exhibit of publications and webinars developed by the NSP member organizations and get a sneak peek of products under development
• Learn about the intersection of the products and current efforts within the context of the BJA/OVC opioid and broader substance abuse initiatives, including  opportunities for advanced cross-disciplinary work
• Lend your voice to a critical dialogue with the NSP members to identify opportunities to utilize the NSP products towards improved outcomes for children, youth,  and families
• Explore lessons learned and remaining challenges/questions in the field related to the identified focus areas

The event provided the opportunity for law enforcement leaders, researchers, public health experts, and community stakeholders to collaborate on promising practices and effective partnerships for addressing stimulant use.

Moderated by Jac Charlier, Executive Director of the Police, Treatment, and Community Collaborative (PTACC)

Presenters:

Phil Rutherford, Director of Operations, Faces and Voices of Recovery

Brad Ray, Professor, Wayne State University

Michael Redmond, Assistant Chief, San Francisco Police Department

Dale Woolery, Director, Iowa Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy

This video is one in a five-part series. Links to the other videos in the series are offered here:

Public Safety and Public Health Partnerships to Address Stimulants: Opening Remarks
https://www.cossapresources.org/Media/Video/0de56ea7-d300-4390-b5e2-503d2956b167

Public Safety and Public Health Partnerships to Address Stimulants: Police-Led Initiatives
https://www.cossapresources.org/Media/Video/d32a011e-f4fa-49cc-9d32-22c7744f9c7d

Public Safety and Public Health Partnerships to Address Stimulants: Policy Efforts
https://www.cossapresources.org/Media/Video/4dcdf3d4-4553-4d43-aa10-49b371ebe7be

Public Safety and Public Health Partnerships to Address Stimulants: The Scope and Science of an Epidemic
https://www.cossapresources.org/Media/Video/1744b032-be4d-4be3-9a4b-ba2310dee7dc 

The event provided the opportunity for law enforcement leaders, researchers, public health experts, and community stakeholders to collaborate on promising practices and effective partnerships for addressing stimulant use.

Moderated by Nicole Banister, Policy Analyst, Homeland Security and Public Safety Division, National Governors Association

Presenters:

• Dr. Jon Zibbell, Senior Public Health Analyst, Behavioral and Urban Health Program, RTI International
• Eric Nation, Director of Training and Development, National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children
• Mark Krueger, Consumer Counsel, Nevada Attorney General’s Office
• Andrea Darr, Director, West Virginia Center for Children's Justice

This video is one in a five-part series. Links to the other videos in the series are offered here:

Public Safety and Public Health Partnerships to Address Stimulants: Opening Remarks
https://www.cossapresources.org/Media/Video/0de56ea7-d300-4390-b5e2-503d2956b167

Public Safety and Public Health Partnerships to Address Stimulants: Police-Led Initiatives
https://www.cossapresources.org/Media/Video/d32a011e-f4fa-49cc-9d32-22c7744f9c7d

Public Safety and Public Health Partnerships to Address Stimulants: The Scope and Science of an Epidemic
https://www.cossapresources.org/Media/Video/1744b032-be4d-4be3-9a4b-ba2310dee7dc

Public Safety and Public Health Partnerships to Address Stimulants: Community Relations
https://www.cossapresources.org/Media/Video/2891bd27-925e-42f4-8c36-cca27f5f8d6b

The event provided the opportunity for law enforcement leaders, researchers, public health experts, and community stakeholders to collaborate on promising practices and effective partnerships for addressing stimulant use.

Presenters:

• Kevin Strom, RTI International
• Kristen Mahoney, Acting Director, Bureau of Justice Assistance
• Sean Goodison, Police Executive Research Forum (PERF)

This video is one in a five-part series. Links to the other videos in the series are offered here:

Public Safety and Public Health Partnerships to Address Stimulants: Police-Led Initiatives
https://www.cossapresources.org/Media/Video/d32a011e-f4fa-49cc-9d32-22c7744f9c7d

Public Safety and Public Health Partnerships to Address Stimulants: Policy Efforts
https://www.cossapresources.org/Media/Video/4dcdf3d4-4553-4d43-aa10-49b371ebe7be

Public Safety and Public Health Partnerships to Address Stimulants: The Scope and Science of an Epidemic
https://www.cossapresources.org/Media/Video/1744b032-be4d-4be3-9a4b-ba2310dee7dc

Public Safety and Public Health Partnerships to Address Stimulants: Community Relations
https://www.cossapresources.org/Media/Video/2891bd27-925e-42f4-8c36-cca27f5f8d6b

The event provided the opportunity for law enforcement leaders, researchers, public health experts, and community stakeholders to collaborate on promising practices and effective partnerships for addressing stimulant use.

Moderated by Sean Goodison, Deputy Director and Senior Research Criminologist, Police Executive Research Forum (PERF)

Presenters:

• John Eadie, Public Health Coordinator, National Emerging Threats Initiative, High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Program
• Thomas Farmer, Director, Tennessee Dangerous Drugs Task Force
• Chris Magnus, Chief, Tucson Police Department
• Thomas Maioli, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Sheriffs’ Association
• A.J. Smith, Sheriff, Franklin County, Florida

This video is one in a five-part series. Links to the other videos in the series are offered here:

Public Safety and Public Health Partnerships to Address Stimulants: Opening Remarks
https://www.cossapresources.org/Media/Video/0de56ea7-d300-4390-b5e2-503d2956b167

Public Safety and Public Health Partnerships to Address Stimulants: Policy Efforts
https://www.cossapresources.org/Media/Video/4dcdf3d4-4553-4d43-aa10-49b371ebe7be

Public Safety and Public Health Partnerships to Address Stimulants: The Scope and Science of an Epidemic
https://www.cossapresources.org/Media/Video/1744b032-be4d-4be3-9a4b-ba2310dee7dc

Public Safety and Public Health Partnerships to Address Stimulants: Community Relations
https://www.cossapresources.org/Media/Video/2891bd27-925e-42f4-8c36-cca27f5f8d6b

The event provided the opportunity for law enforcement leaders, researchers, public health experts, and community stakeholders to collaborate on promising practices and effective partnerships for addressing stimulant use.

Moderated by Dr. Mark Edlund, Senior Research Scientist, RTI

Presenters:

• Dr. Tisha Wiley, Branch Chief, Division of Epidemiology Services and Prevention Research, National Institute of Drug Abuse
• Dr. Christopher Jones, Senior Advisor Director, Strategy and Innovation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• DeMia Pressley, Program Officer, Diversion Control Division, Drug Enforcement Administration

This video is one in a five-part series. Links to the other videos in the series are offered here:

Public Safety and Public Health Partnerships to Address Stimulants: Opening Remarks
https://www.cossapresources.org/Media/Video/0de56ea7-d300-4390-b5e2-503d2956b167

Public Safety and Public Health Partnerships to Address Stimulants: Police-Led Initiatives
https://www.cossapresources.org/Media/Video/d32a011e-f4fa-49cc-9d32-22c7744f9c7d

Public Safety and Public Health Partnerships to Address Stimulants: Policy Efforts
https://www.cossapresources.org/Media/Video/4dcdf3d4-4553-4d43-aa10-49b371ebe7be
Public Safety and Public Health Partnerships to Address Stimulants: Community Relations
https://www.cossapresources.org/Media/Video/2891bd27-925e-42f4-8c36-cca27f5f8d6b

A mock OFR team conducts an urban overdose fatality review.

A mock OFR team conducts a rural overdose fatality review.

The medical impact of opioids on children is significant, and these interviews provide a succinct review of medical impacts and outcomes of opioid exposure. Part 1 identifies the three primary subgroups of children impacted by opioids and then highlights the primary impacts and medical considerations for children exposed in utero and during preschool years.

Dr. Mark Sapp is a board-certified pediatrician who works in both the fields of Inpatient Medicine and Child Abuse and Neglect. He is currently the consulting pediatrician at the National Children’s Advocacy Center in Huntsville, Alabama. He received his training in the field of Child Abuse and Neglect at Boston Children’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School and then became a member of the Child Protection Team at Children’s Hospital Boston. While in Boston Dr. Sapp was a medical consultant for the Teen Prostitution Prevention Program for the Suffolk County CAC and a member of the Boston/Suffolk County Child Fatality Review Board. Dr. Sapp also worked a short time with Dr. Martin Finkel at the CARES Institute/UMDNJ in Stratford, New Jersey performing both inpatient and outpatient abuse medical exams. In 2012 Dr. Sapp relocated to Huntsville where he currently works in the medical clinic at National Children’s Advocacy Center. Dr. Sapp also services as the collaborating physician for the NCAC Nurse Practitioner and for the local pediatric SANE Nurse Examiner Program at Crisis Services of North Alabama.

Chris Newlin is the executive director of the National Children’s Advocacy Center (NCAC) in Huntsville, AL, where he is responsible for providing leadership and management of the agency, as well as participating in national and international training and leadership activities regarding the protection of children. The NCAC was the first Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) in the world and provides child abuse prevention and intervention services in Huntsville/Madison County; and also houses the NCAC Training Center, the Southern Regional Children’s Advocacy Center, the NCAC Virtual Training Center, and the Child Abuse Library Online (CALiO). Chris received his master’s degree in school psychology from the University of Central Arkansas, is a licensed professional counselor, and has completed coursework at the Harvard University Business School Executive Education Program.

The medical impact of opioids on children is significant, and these interviews provide a succinct review of medical impacts and outcomes of opioid exposure. Part 2 reviews the primary impacts and medical considerations for school-age children under age 12.

Dr. Mark Sapp is a board-certified pediatrician who works in both the fields of Inpatient Medicine and Child Abuse and Neglect. He is currently the consulting pediatrician at the National Children’s Advocacy Center in Huntsville, Alabama. He received his training in the field of Child Abuse and Neglect at Boston Children’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School and then became a member of the Child Protection Team at Children’s Hospital Boston. While in Boston Dr. Sapp was a medical consultant for the Teen Prostitution Prevention Program for the Suffolk County CAC and a member of the Boston/Suffolk County Child Fatality Review Board. Dr. Sapp also worked a short time with Dr. Martin Finkel at the CARES Institute/UMDNJ in Stratford, New Jersey performing both inpatient and outpatient abuse medical exams. In 2012 Dr. Sapp relocated to Huntsville where he currently works in the medical clinic at National Children’s Advocacy Center. Dr. Sapp also services as the collaborating physician for the NCAC Nurse Practitioner and for the local pediatric SANE Nurse Examiner Program at Crisis Services of North Alabama.

Chris Newlin is the executive director of the National Children’s Advocacy Center (NCAC) in Huntsville, AL, where he is responsible for providing leadership and management of the agency, as well as participating in national and international training and leadership activities regarding the protection of children. The NCAC was the first Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) in the world and provides child abuse prevention and intervention services in Huntsville/Madison County; and also houses the NCAC Training Center, the Southern Regional Children’s Advocacy Center, the NCAC Virtual Training Center, and the Child Abuse Library Online (CALiO). Chris received his master’s degree in school psychology from the University of Central Arkansas, is a licensed professional counselor, and has completed coursework at the Harvard University Business School Executive Education Program.

The medical impact of opioids on children is significant, and these interviews provide a succinct review of medical impacts and outcomes of opioid exposure. Part 3 reviews the medical considerations for adolescents using opioids or other illicit drugs.

Dr. Mark Sapp is a board-certified pediatrician who works in both the fields of Inpatient Medicine and Child Abuse and Neglect. He is currently the consulting pediatrician at the National Children’s Advocacy Center in Huntsville, Alabama. He received his training in the field of Child Abuse and Neglect at Boston Children’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School and then became a member of the Child Protection Team at Children’s Hospital Boston. While in Boston Dr. Sapp was a medical consultant for the Teen Prostitution Prevention Program for the Suffolk County CAC and a member of the Boston/Suffolk County Child Fatality Review Board. Dr. Sapp also worked a short time with Dr. Martin Finkel at the CARES Institute/UMDNJ in Stratford, New Jersey performing both inpatient and outpatient abuse medical exams. In 2012 Dr. Sapp relocated to Huntsville where he currently works in the medical clinic at National Children’s Advocacy Center. Dr. Sapp also services as the collaborating physician for the NCAC Nurse Practitioner and for the local pediatric SANE Nurse Examiner Program at Crisis Services of North Alabama.

Chris Newlin is the executive director of the National Children’s Advocacy Center (NCAC) in Huntsville, AL, where he is responsible for providing leadership and management of the agency, as well as participating in national and international training and leadership activities regarding the protection of children. The NCAC was the first Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) in the world and provides child abuse prevention and intervention services in Huntsville/Madison County; and also houses the NCAC Training Center, the Southern Regional Children’s Advocacy Center, the NCAC Virtual Training Center, and the Child Abuse Library Online (CALiO). Chris received his master’s degree in school psychology from the University of Central Arkansas, is a licensed professional counselor, and has completed coursework at the Harvard University Business School Executive Education Program.

The Bureau of Justice Assistance, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, Office of National Drug Control Policy provide overviews of each of their overdose-related programs and a discussion about how they coordinate across federal agencies.

This video walks the viewer through how to modify and use the OFR Project Management Template Gantt chart.

AHP and its partners are proud to serve as a TTA provider for the National COSSAP Jail-based Treatment and Community Corrections Program, supporting local or regional jails and their partners in their efforts to seamlessly transition individuals from in-custody to community-based treatment. AHP has transformed and improved organizational systems of care through TTA, business development, and research and evaluation for the past 35 years. In addition to establishing and operating technical assistance centers for several federal agencies (including the Bureau of Justice Assistance), AHP provides specialized TTA to criminal justice agencies. AHP’s diverse team leverages cutting-edge knowledge of research and evidence-based practices in criminal justice programming, substance abuse treatment and recovery, and overdose prevention to support COSSAP grantees, as well as other stakeholders, with knowledge and practical tools to build and sustain successful multidisciplinary responses to illicit substance use and misuse and improve reentry and recidivism outcomes.

Increasingly, peer recovery support services (PRSS) are an important—and sometimes central—part of efforts to effectively address illicit substance use and misuse. Altarum believes that peer-based services are vital to the continuum of care for individuals impacted by substance use disorder. Altarum works with organizations and systems as they implement best practices and promising approaches related to PRSS. Altarum supports federal, state, and local governments, as well as national and community-based organizations, to build a system of care that focuses on recovery, active involvement of consumers and their families, and multiple services to best meet individual needs and to strengthen and improve the health of communities.

OFR resources are available on the COSSAP Resource Center (cossapresources.org), including an Overdose Fatality Review Toolkit. 

The Institute for Intergovernmental Research (IIR) serves as the connecting point for COSSAP training and technical assistance (TTA) efforts and collaborates with Bureau of Justice Assistance leadership and fellow TTA providers to work directly with COSSAP site-based grantees. IIR’s role includes publication production and design; planning, coordination, and delivery of national-level trainings and working group meetings; COSSAP Resource Center website development and maintenance; provision of subject-matter expertise; coordination of distance learning opportunities and resource dissemination; and coordination of other complementary activities.

NCJTC of Fox Valley Technical College was established more than 25 years ago and has extensive experience managing complex national U.S. Department of Justice-funded training and technical assistance (TTA) efforts that demand attention to detail, competency, diversity, flexibility, and innovation. NCJTC is proud to support urban, rural, and under-resourced communities, as well as culturally sensitive areas such as tribal communities. NCJTC provides solutions that address specific public safety concerns through on-site training, conferences, online learning opportunities, and customized TTA. Areas of focus include tribal justice systems planning and capacity building, tribal corrections capacity building, alcohol- and substance use-related crime, comprehensive tribal victim service program development, and comprehensive strategic planning.

The Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Training and Technical Assistance Center (PDMP TTAC) provides a comprehensive array of services, support, resources, and strategies to PDMPs, BJA grant recipients, federal partners, and other stakeholders to further the efforts and effectiveness of PDMPs in combating the misuse, abuse, and diversion of prescription drugs. PDMP TTAC’s focus is to improve consistency and alignment among PDMPs, facilitate coordination between PDMPs and state and national stakeholders, increase PDMP efficiencies, measure performance and effectiveness, and promote best practices.

RTI International’s role in COSSAP is to provide direct support to state agencies and subrecipients, making communities safer by promoting evidence-based practices to respond to illicit substance use and misuse across all government levels. Through its substantive, methodological, and technical assistance expertise, RTI and its partners foster peer-to-peer learning and cross-site coordination to enable discussions of lessons learned, facilitate program improvements, and promote evidence-based program proliferation, providing tailored training and technical assistance for the unique needs of jurisdictions that can also be applied nationally.

TASC’s Center for Health and Justice (CHJ) helps COSSAP grantees implement evidence-based, systemic solutions at the front end of the justice system to respond to the substance use that often underlies criminal justice involvement. CHJ helps build integrated criminal justice, behavioral health, and community systems by assisting first responders in developing pathways to treatment for individuals at risk for illicit substance use and misuse. CHJ offers online resources and in-person TTA engagements customized to the needs of specific jurisdictions with the goals of connecting and maximizing the treatment resources of the community to improve public health and safety.

Jocelyn Linde, a COSSAP Grant Manager with the Bureau of Justice Assistance, presents an overview of award conditions. Topics include award conditions holding funds and withholding for budget approval.

Wendy Rose, a COSSAP Grant Manager with the Bureau of Justice Assistance, provides an overview of grant award modifications (GAMs). Topics include the purpose of a GAM, types of GAMs, navigating the Justice Grants System (JustGrants), initiating a GAM, budget modifications, and project period extensions.

Elizabeth White, a COSSAP Grant Manager with the Bureau of Justice Assistance, provides an overview of grant monitoring. Topics include annual desk reviews; in-depth monitoring; financial, administrative, and programmatic documentation that might be requested; and monitoring follow-up.

Wendy Rose, a COSSAP Grant Manager with the Bureau of Justice Assistance, reviews the steps a COSSAP grant recipient needs to take in order to report a change of point of contact information for his or her grant.

An overview of the performance measures reporting tool is offered. Topics include performance measures, performance management at BJA, the benefits to grantees, data reporting (what, where, when, and how), the program-specific questionnaire, data reporting best practices, and additional resources.

Dawn Hill, a COSSAP Grant Manager with the Bureau of Justice Assistance, offers an overview of subawards and procurement contracts. It is important to differentiate between subawards and procurement contracts because there are separate requirements for each.

OFR Data System was developed using REDCap. This short video explains what REDCap is and how to get REDCap installed on their local network for use. 

OFR Data System was developed using REDCap. This short video demonstrates how to navigate and use the OFR Data System REDCap projects. 

On August 13–14, 2019, the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA)—as part of its Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse (COSSAP) Demonstration Project series and in collaboration with Arnold Ventures and other partners—convened teams from across the nation taking part in the Building Bridges Between Jails and Community-Based Treatment initiative. This collegial meeting allowed for the showcasing of best practices; sharing of challenges and successes; advancement of respective sites’ planning processes; and the invaluable opportunity to engage with peers committed to saving lives by developing a comprehensive continuum of care model that targets the jail population and builds bridges between in-custody and community-based treatment and supervision, including probation, parole, and court-based programs. BJA is pleased to share this video spotlighting participants’ insights and perspectives with the larger COSSAP community.

The video was funded by California Health Care Foundation and was created by Health Management Associates and Freeman Media.

Frances Scott, a physical scientist at the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), discusses NIJ's funding for research and development, assistance to laboratories, a new working group looking at collecting and processing opioid evidence, a partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to better understand the risk to first responders, and the challenges presented by the rapidly changing chemical structure of opioids on the street.

Mallory O’Brien, Assistant Professor, Medical College of Wisconsin, discusses Wisconsin’s Overdose Fatality Review process, a joint effort of the State Departments of Justice and Public Health. The process brings all of the stakeholders together to share specific case information to understand the overdose, the events leading up to it, and any opportunities the information can uncover about actions that can be taken to address the overall crisis.

On December 13–14, 2018, the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) partnered to convene judicial and law enforcement leaders from select rural communities to discuss special challenges associated with tackling the opioid epidemic, to share information on programs and innovations, and to promote discussion and peer learning. BJA and USDA are pleased to release this video of interviews from that event.

The U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance launched a new training video, Fentanyl: The Real Deal, on August 30, 2018. The video explains protective actions first responders should take when the presence of fentanyl is suspected, when exposure occurs, and when individuals exhibit signs of opioid intoxication.

The Addiction Policy Forum launched a hospital toolkit to empower medical providers, patients, families, and policymakers to improve evidence-based screening, assessment, early intervention, and treatment best practices—critically important resources that can transform a trip to the emergency department into the first step toward recovery.

The Addiction Policy Forum launched a hospital toolkit to empower medical providers, patients, families, and policymakers to improve evidence-based screening, assessment, early intervention, and treatment best practices—critically important resources that can transform a trip to the emergency department into the first step toward recovery.

The Addiction Policy Forum launched a hospital toolkit to empower medical providers, patients, families, and policymakers to improve evidence-based screening, assessment, early intervention, and treatment best practices—critically important resources that can transform a trip to the emergency department into the first step toward recovery.

The Addiction Policy Forum launched a hospital toolkit to empower medical providers, patients, families, and policymakers to improve evidence-based screening, assessment, early intervention, and treatment best practices—critically important resources that can transform a trip to the emergency department into the first step toward recovery.

The Addiction Policy Forum launched a hospital toolkit to empower medical providers, patients, families, and policymakers to improve evidence-based screening, assessment, early intervention, and treatment best practices—critically important resources that can transform a trip to the emergency department into the first step toward recovery.

The Addiction Policy Forum launched a hospital toolkit to empower medical providers, patients, families, and policymakers to improve evidence-based screening, assessment, early intervention, and treatment best practices—critically important resources that can transform a trip to the emergency department into the first step toward recovery.

The Addiction Policy Forum launched a hospital toolkit to empower medical providers, patients, families, and policymakers to improve evidence-based screening, assessment, early intervention, and treatment best practices—critically important resources that can transform a trip to the emergency department into the first step toward recovery.