Innovative Initiatives

Law Enforcement Treatment Initiative

March 3, 2022 | Controlled Substances, Harm Reduction, Innovative Initiatives, Law Enforcement, Opioids, Prescription Drugs, Public Health, Recovery, Substance Abuse, Treatments

When Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro learned that approximately 15 citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania die each day from an overdose, he took action. As a result, in May of 2018, he launched the Law Enforcement Treatment Initiative (LETI) to connect individuals suffering with a substance use disorder (SUD) to treatment resources....

Let’s Talk Meth

March 1, 2022 | Controlled Substances, Harm Reduction, Innovative Initiatives, Methamphetamine, Public Health, Stimulants, Substance Abuse, Treatments

In May of 2019, Sacramento County, California launched the Methamphetamine Coalition, the goal of which is “to identify and implement initiatives addressing the methamphetamine use problem and reducing meth use and its impact [on citizens and the community] in Sacramento County.”...

Hushabye Nursery

January 18, 2022 | Controlled Substances, Fetal and Infant Health, Harm Reduction, Innovative Initiatives, Maternal Health, Opioids, Prescription Drugs, Public Health, Treatments

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is steadily increasing. From 2010 to 2017, the number of infants born with the condition increased 82 percent, nationally....

The Firefly Program

November 8, 2021 | Controlled Substances, Harm Reduction, Innovative Initiatives, Opioids, Prescription Drugs, Public Health, Recovery, Substance Abuse, Treatments

The Tennessee Department of Health reports that opioid use disorder is an extreme threat to mothers in the state. Of the 62 pregnant or post-partum women who died in 2019, approximately 20 of them had a substance use disorder....

Hope not Handcuffs

October 1, 2021 | Controlled Substances, Innovative Initiatives, Opioids, Recovery, Treatments

A significant barrier to treatment for individuals struggling with a substance use disorder is the ability to find and access appropriate treatment and recovery services. Hope Not Handcuffs is an initiative that addresses this issue by having law enforcement personnel help those struggling with a substance use disorder find pathways to treatment without arresting them....

Spike Alert Apps

June 29, 2021 | Innovative Initiatives, Opioids, Public Health, Public Safety, Synthetic Drugs

One of the ways in which jurisdictions are combating the epidemic of drug overdoses in communities is through the use of “spike alerts,” that is, targeted messages that notify recipients that there is an unexpected increase in drug-related overdoses in a specific area. The purpose of these notifications is to “reduce injury or death from opioid overdoses during spike events.” ...

Project for Pride in Living

April 27, 2021 | Innovative Initiatives, Public Health, Recovery

Project for Pride in Living (PPL) was founded in 1972 by Joe Selvaggio to create affordable housing for those in need. It began by renovating houses and now builds affordable housing for qualified individuals in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis and St. Paul) area of Minnesota. Additionally, since its inception, PPL has offered employment training to the services it offers. ...

Twin Cities Recovery Project

April 27, 2021 | Innovative Initiatives, Public Health, Recovery, Substance Abuse, Treatments

As set forth in its mission statement, the goal of TCRP is “to offer assistance and support to those suffering from substance use disorder in their transition toward lifestyles of health and productivity.…” TCRP does this in various ways, including through its Social Club....

Maury County (Tennessee) Prevention Coalition

March 26, 2021 | Innovative Initiatives, Public Health, Public Safety, Recovery, Substance Abuse, Treatments

The mission of the Maury County Prevention Coalition is to promote healthy family relationships, emotional wellness, and the prevention of alcohol, drug use, and other risky behavior by youth through parent education, dynamic youth programs, and engagement with key community stakeholders. ...

Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD)

January 28, 2021 | Criminal Justice, Drug Courts, Innovative Initiatives, Law Enforcement, Public Safety, Recovery, Substance Abuse

Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) is a community-based diversion approach for responding to low-level criminal offenses, such as illicit drug possession or prostitution. ...