For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2017

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

P.A.A.R.I. Makes Resources From Groundbreaking National Law Enforcement Summit Available Online

GLOUCESTER — The Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative is pleased to announce that it is making numerous resources from its groundbreaking National Law Enforcement Summit available online. 

The summit, which took place over two days earlier this month, was a first-of-its-kind meeting of law enforcement agencies committed to reversing the tide of opioid addiction. It included presentations from police leaders throughout the country and also featured remarks from Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker and U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III.

The new page on the P.A.A.R.I. website features numerous resources that will benefit both law enforcement agencies that were represented at the summit​ as well as ​those who were not able to attend, but wish to build a more in-depth understanding of the work being done by other departments to alter their approach to addiction in their communities.

“It was truly inspiring to see so many people coming together to build upon the work we’ve already done to change the conversation about drug addiction,” P.A.A.R.I. Co-Founder and Chairman John Rosenthal said. “The National Law Enforcement Summit was a key moment for this movement, and we’re eager to continue helping our partners share their knowledge and experience and build upon the tremendous early successes we’ve had.” 

The site also features a large set of videos of the panel discussions and presentations from both days. 

The following organizations, agencies and individuals were among the dozens of people who shared their ideas and approaches at the summit, and whose presentations are now available online:

• Hope Not Handcuffs (Michigan)
• Plymouth County Outreach (Massachusetts)
• Massachusetts Association of Health Plans
• P.A.A.R.I. AmeriCorps Recovery Coaches
• Chelsea Police Department (Massachusetts)
• Essex County County Correctional Facility Detoxification Unit (Massachusetts)
• Gloucester Police Department Angel Program (Massachusetts)
• Dr. Sarah E. Wakeman, Massachusetts General Hospital Substance Use Disorder Initiative
• Danny Langloss, City Manager and Retired Chief of Police in Dixon, Illinois
• Frederick Ryan, Chief of the Arlington, Massachusetts Police Department, P.A.A.R.I. Co-Chairman and P.A.A.R.I. National Police Council Chairman

“This event helped foster a tremendous exchange of ideas and approaches that we can all learn from and use in our own communities,” Chief Ryan said. “The P.A.A.R.I. model has become a nationwide movement, and I’m thrilled by how willing our partners have been to modify their approach and accept a new role in fighting this crisis.”

To see the extensive collection of presentations and other resources from the summit, including photos, please visit paariusa.org/police/2017-summit/

###