Key Takeaways
- The national decline in overdoses since 2023 has been uneven across states, with West Virginia showing significant reduction in overdose fatalities.
- Crisis intervention training (CIT) for law enforcement has been associated with a decline in overdose fatalities in early research.
- CIT programs teach officers to recognize substance use disorders, speak empathetically, and encourage treatment rather than jail time.
- Prioritizing the needs of those struggling with substance use, including "warm handoffs" to treatment facilities, is crucial for effective intervention.
- Skeptics argue that CIT is too lenient, but proponents argue that holding people accountable and getting them help are not mutually exclusive.
Introduction to the Decline in Overdoses
Overdoses have been declining nationally since the fall of 2023, and public health experts have been unable to agree on the reasons behind this trend. The decline has been uneven across states, with some states showing more significant reductions in overdose fatalities than others. West Virginia, which has long been known as the epicenter of the opioid crisis, is among the states that have most reduced overdose fatalities, as noted in a recent Guardian analysis. One factor that has been little explored in the decline of overdoses is the increased adoption of crisis intervention training (CIT) for law enforcement.
The Role of Crisis Intervention Training
CIT was invented in the late 1980s to help officers recognize mental health conditions and assist those struggling to access resources and treatment, rather than jailing them. In the wake of the overdose epidemic, these programs have become increasingly popular among law enforcement. Early research that compares jurisdictions with CIT programs to those without them shows that this intervention is associated with a decline in overdose fatalities. According to Yolandah Mwikisa, the crisis response unit supervisor for the Wheeling, West Virginia, police department, more police officers are recognizing that substance use disorders are a pandemic, and therefore, more are becoming interested in CIT.
The Benefits of CIT
CIT teaches officers how to recognize when someone is struggling with substance use and in a state of crisis, how to speak to them empathetically and calmly, and encourage them to seek treatment. Mwikisa notes that getting people to treatment and into recovery reduces their motivation to commit crimes and can help them live longer without overdosing, even if their recovery is not permanent. On the other hand, sending them to jail increases the risk of fatal overdose and continued substance use. Richard Frank, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, agrees that getting people into treatment rather than jail is crucial, and emphasizes the importance of a "warm handoff," where individuals are delivered directly to a treatment facility rather than simply being given a phone number.
The Importance of Prioritizing Needs
Mwikisa emphasizes that prioritizing the needs of those struggling with substance use is paramount. She notes that people are unlikely to want to tell their story twice, so it is essential to make the transition to treatment as easy as possible. This includes calling ahead to a treatment facility to ensure a smooth handoff. In her years working as a CIT coordinator, Mwikisa has seen the difference in how officers behave, and notes that the training changes the way they interact with individuals struggling with substance use. She recalls a personal experience where she was pulled over for speeding and received brutal treatment, but notes that CIT training can help officers behave more empathetically.
Addressing Skepticism
Despite the benefits of CIT, there are skeptics who argue that anyone who does something illegal should go to jail. Mwikisa argues that holding people accountable and getting them help are not opposites, and that the real failure is when we do neither. She emphasizes that CIT is not about being lenient, but about providing effective intervention and support to individuals struggling with substance use. By prioritizing the needs of those struggling and providing them with access to treatment, we can reduce the risk of overdose fatalities and help individuals recover from substance use disorders. Ultimately, the success of CIT programs highlights the importance of a compassionate and supportive approach to addressing the opioid crisis.