This two-part COSSAP webinar series will include a presentation on the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) and RTI International’s work to support states and local jurisdictions in identifying and addressing the impact of stimulants in communities across the country that some experts believe represents the fourth wave of the overdose epidemic. During a two-day COSSAP virtual meeting earlier this year, PERF and RTI International brought together a diverse group of stakeholders to highlight innovative and collaborative programs and practices to prevent and respond to the use of stimulants (RTI Stimulant Workshop Report.pdf).

Based on the panels and audience discussions, several key recommendations were identified for state and local agencies, including law enforcement, in order to improve responses to stimulants. These recommendations, which will be discussed in more detail during this webinar, include:

1. Implementing first responder deflection and pre-arrest diversion programs to connect people with stimulant and other substance use disorders to treatment and other services.
2. Developing more robust methods to identify, track, and understand the illicit drug supply market.
3. Supporting research that seeks to develop medications for stimulant use disorder and strategies for stimulant-related overdoses.
4. Developing and implementing training on and increasing community awareness of ways to address the stigma associated with substance use and addiction.
5. Supporting harm reduction—focused, community-based programs that seek to reduce the negative consequences associated with drug use.

Part one of the webinar series will focus on the identification and tracking of stimulants in the illicit drug supply as well as deflection and pre-arrest diversion programs, and part two will focus on recommendations related to the community-based components of stimulant response.

• Ali Burrell, ODMAP Program Manager, Washington/Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area
• Brandon del Pozo, Ph.D., MPA, MA, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
• Danielle M. Fenimore, Ph.D., Research Associate, PERF

Resources

• Presentation Slides