THE CONNECTICUT LAW ENFORCEMENT CONFERENCE TO ADDRESS OPIOID MISUSE On The Frontline To: PREVENT PROTECT CONNECT Session 1 Workshops: 9:05AM-10:35AM Session 2 Workshops: 10:40AM-12:10PM Turning Up the HEAT On The Opioid Epidemic in Connecticut: What Are The Feds Doing? and The opioid epidemic is a national crisis that has hit Connecticut hard. In 2016, in response to the spike in the number of overdose deaths in Connecticut, the United States Attorney s Office and Drug Enforcement Administration formed a statewide task force to investigate and prosecute drug dealers who sold heroin and fentanyl that led to overdose deaths. At the same time, knowing that prosecution is not the only answer, the USAO began the Heroin Education Action Team (HEAT) to bring a message of opioid prevention to high schools across Connecticut. HEAT has reached approximately 70 schools and 35,000 students. View the HEAT presentation Participate in a powerful panel discussion with the presenters and two parents who have lost children to overdoses Learn how to bring HEAT to their local high schools Rob Spector, Assistant United States Attorney, Deputy Chief of the Violent Crimes and Narcotics Unit Dana Mofenson, Special Agent, Drug Enforcement Agency
Safety on the Frontline for Officers and K9s: Fentanyl Exposure and Fentanyl can be 50 times more potent than heroin, and a speck the size of a few grains of salt can kill. This synthetic opioid can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled if it becomes airborne, putting first responders and even police dogs in danger. With a rapid onset, this opioid is causing deadlier overdoses at quicker rates than heroin and prescription drugs alone. This workshop will provide information on the dangers of exposure and precautionary measures that should be used when officers and K9s could be exposed. Attendees will learn how they can strengthen department procedures by gaining new insight on fentanyl safety. Gain an understanding of the dangers of fentanyl exposure Learn about the myths around fentanyl exposure Understand what precautions should be taken when there is a risk of exposure to officers and K9s TFC Jonathan Naples, CT State Police K9 Training Coordinator TFC Rob Lanouette, CT State Police Training Academy Heroin and Opioid Prevention Education Program (HOPE)/Connection to Recovery through Intervention, Support and Initiating Services (CRISIS) Initiative This dualistic workshop addresses both the HOPE Initiative, utilized by the Manchester Police Department and the CRISIS Initiative, utilized by the Connecticut State Police. Both initiatives showcase ways for law enforcement to collaborate with community resources to connect highrisk individuals to treatment and recovery. Attendees will learn how HOPE is creating a paradigm shift by enabling law enforcement to become the entry point to treatment and recovery. Next attendees will learn how the CRISIS model generates community collaboration to reduce the number of opiate overdoses. Presenters will share the challenges they face as well as how they overcome them, and how you can bring one of these models to your community. Gain an understanding of how to reduce opioid related deaths through a recovery system Learn how to create a paradigm shift and replicate the model Cover NARCAN administration and educational components Chief Marc Montminy, Manchester Police Department Detective Michael Mudry, DESPP CT State Police Statewide Narcotics Taskforce Wayne Kowal, DESPP CT State Police Statewide Narcotics Taskforce
New Policing Models Making Communities Stronger by Reducing Recidivism, Increasing Public Safety, and Reducing Drug Use Criminal justice professionals and experts in fields that focus on prevention and addiction have recognized that the arrest and incarceration of people with addictions has not ended the nation s drug use problems. There are a number of law enforcement programs that now divert drug users and low level offenders from arrest into treatment. This session will provide an overview of selecting and implementing the diversion strategy/program that is best suited for your jurisdiction. Learn about different ways law enforcement and public health can work together to reduce the nation s drug problem Understand the programs operating in Connecticut and nationally for people with Substance Abuse Disorders Receive information and materials on the various program models and learn how to think critically about the advantages and challenges of such programs Presenter: Loel Meckel, LCSW, Assistant Director, Forensic Services Division, Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Lawful Prescribing and Prevention of Diversion This workshop will provide law enforcement professionals with a national overview of the abuse of prescription drugs, an understanding of the Controlled Substance Act as it applies to prescription controlled substances, and a description of prescription drug crimes and their victims. Discussion topics will include prescribing within the guidelines of the Code of Federal Regulations, methods to protect pharmacies and medical practices from common scams, and inappropriate prescribing practices. Actual case examples will be used throughout the workshop. Learn the historical and current perspectives on prescription drug abuse/diversion Understand trends and common terms associated with opioid misuse Gain tips into building successful investigation on various types of diversion-associated crimes Presenter: Ed Cartwright, Associate Director of Law Enforcement Liaison and Education, Purdue Pharma; Retired Supervisory Narcotics Agent for the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General
Heroin and Opioid Prevention Education Program (HOPE)/ Department of Public Health: Stigma & Biology of Addiction This dualistic workshop addresses both the HOPE Initiative, utilized by the Manchester Police Department, and the stigma of addiction and the biology of addiction presented by the Department of Public Health. The HOPE Initiative s goal is to change the paradigm in law enforcement, and create an atmosphere where law enforcement becomes the entry point into the recovery system, rather than the criminal justice system. This session will address the steps taken to create and administer the HOPE program. Presenters will also share how NARCAN is being used as a departmental strategy to reduce opioid related deaths. The Department of Public Health will give a brief overview of addiction, the unintentional stigmas associated with it, and the biological basis for addiction. Participants will explore how our tone and language delivery affects the perceptions and behaviors of people with substance use disorders. Understand the mechanism of addiction in the body Understand how addressing stigma can help in preventing and treating addiction Learn about the key elements and steps to implement a HOPE program Think critically about the advantages and challenges of such programs Chief Marc Montminy, Manchester Police Department Susan Logan, MS, MPH, Epidemiologist, Office of Injury Prevention, Connecticut Department of Public Health Kathryn Hawk, MD, MHS, Yale University Evidence-Based Services for Youth: DCF s Service System to Address Opioid Use Problems DCF has a robust network of evidence-based practice providers statewide to care for youth with substance abuse problems, including opioid use disorders. This infrastructure includes a network of community adolescent and family behavioral health providers serving every region of the state. The network offers statewide access to clinic-based treatments through Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach, and intensive in-home services using Multidimensional Family Therapy (MDFT), and Multisystemic Therapy. Understand the scope of the opioid use problem among youth in CT and nationally Learn about the types of publicly-funded youth substance use services available in CT, particularly services designed to address opioid use problems and their effectiveness Be able to identify services and how to access them Staff from the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (Mary Painter, MSW, Ines Eaton, MSW, Melissa Sienna, MS, MPA)
Campus and Coalition Partnerships: Police Working With The Community Fairfield University has made a priority of addressing the opioid epidemic. Attendees will gain an understanding of Fairfield University s efforts as they sponsor their first annual Opioid Awareness and Prevention Day, train members of the community to administer Narcan, and create a documentary about college students in recovery. Joined by other Connecticut colleges and universities under the Connecticut Healthy Campus Initiative, Fairfield University demonstrates the commitment to increase awareness both on campus and within the community on the potential for fatal overdose as well as promoting and increasing access to treatment and resources. Attendees will receive information on the implementation of training its Public Safety Officers, Health Center, and Counseling & Psychological professional staffs. Additionally highlighted will be Fairfield University s Collegiate Recovery Program, which provides structure and support to its students as they pair education with their recovery and provide hope for those struggling with addiction. Understand the mechanism of addiction in the body Gain an understanding of how Fairfield University implemented Narcan training for Public Safety, Health Center, Counseling & Psychological Services staffs as well as key stakeholders on campus Learn about the Fairfield University Collegiate Recovery Program its origin and successful development Raise awareness and reduce stigma about opioid abuse and seeking recovery resources Staff from Fairfield University (Susan Birge, EdD, MS, LPC, Assistant Vice President and Director of Counseling and Psychological Services, Lisa Arnold, MFT, LADC, Clinical Director, Collegiate Recovery Services, and Todd Pelazza, Director, Public Safety)