Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative

*Media Advisory* Governor Baker to Give Opening Remarks at Inaugural P.A.A.R.I. National Law Enforcement Summit

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P.A.A.R.I.
John Rosenthal, Co-founder & Chairman
186 Main Street
Gloucester, MA 01930

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017

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

*Media Advisory*

Governor Baker to Give Opening Remarks at Inaugural P.A.A.R.I. National Law Enforcement Summit 

More than 200 Leaders from Around the Country to Attend

GLOUCESTER — The Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative (P.A.A.R.I.) is pleased to welcome law enforcement leaders from throughout the nation next week at its first National Law Enforcement Summit.

The event, which is the first of its kind, will bring more than 200 leaders from 27 states and the District of Columbia to Boston. It is completely open to press, and a schedule of speaking programs is attached below.

WHO: 

  • Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker
  • Sandro Galea, Dean, Boston University School of Public Health
  • John Rosenthal, P.A.A.R.I. Co-Founder and Co-Chairman
  • Frederick Ryan, P.A.A.R.I. Co-Chairman, Police Council Chairman and Arlington Police Chief
  • Allie Hunter McDade, P.A.A.R.I. Executive Director
  • P.A.A.R.I. National Police Council Members
  • More than 200 law enforcement leaders

WHEN:

  • Tuesday, Dec. 5, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Dec. 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 

WHERE:

Boston University School of Medicine

72 East Concord St. (14th floor), Boston

 

WHAT:

The P.A.A.R.I. National Law Enforcement Summit is a groundbreaking event that will connect law enforcement leaders from around the country who have changed their approach to the opioid epidemic in their communities and taken the lead in preventing overdose deaths and providing access to addiction treatment and recovery.

Over 200 police leaders from agencies of all sizes will be in attendance at the summit, which will include a keynote address from Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker.

The summit will empower law enforcement agencies to outline their successes and challenges in combating the nationwide opioid epidemic, and will serve as a platform for the sharing of ideas on how to build upon, or launch, a pre-arrest addiction and recovery referral program in order to provide those struggling with addiction with the help they need.

MEDIA LOGISTICS:

There will be opportunities for television, radio and print/online media interviews, and staff will be on-site to assist media. Law enforcement leaders from the following states will be in attendance and are generally available for interviews: Arizona, Connecticut, Washington D.C., Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin. 

Affiliates may be interested in drawing from their local stations. Boston has NBC (NBC Boston/New England Cable News and Telemundo), CBS (WBZ), Hearst (ABC affiliate WCVB), Sunbeam (WHDH) and Cox Media (Fox affiliate WFXT) television news broadcast stations. 

SCHEDULE:

Tuesday, December 5

 

8:30 a.m. — Networking Breakfast

9 a.m. — Welcome from Chief Frederick Ryan, P.A.A.R.I. Co-Chairman, Arlington, Mass.

9:20 a.m. — Welcome from Sandro Galea, Dean, BU School of Public Health

9:30 a.m.  — Welcome from John Rosenthal, P.A.A.R.I. Co-Founder and Co-Chairman

9:45 a.m. — Introduction of Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker from Chief Frederick Ryan and John Rosenthal

10 a.m. — Remarks from Gov. Charlie Baker

10:15 a.m. — Opioid Epidemic and P.A.A.R.I. 101

  • Allie Hunter McDade, P.A.A.R.I. Executive Director, Boston
  • John Rosenthal, P.A.A.R.I. Co-Founder and Co-Chairman, Gloucester
  • Chief Frederick Ryan, P.A.A.R.I. Co-Chairman, Arlington

11 a.m. — Intake Programs 101

  • Lt. Jeremiah Nicastro, Gloucester
  • Chief Robbie Moulton, Scarborough, Maine
  • Sgt. Brittney Garrett, Jeffersontown, Kentucky
  • Katie Donovan, Hope Not Handcuffs, Macomb County, Michigan

Noon — Networking Lunch

12:30 p.m. — Outreach Programs 101

  • Chief Frederick Ryan, Arlington
  • Sgt. Mike Braley, Everett, Washington
  • Dan Cortez, Community Engagement Specialist, Chelsea
  • Kelly Pompilio, Police Social Worker, Alexandria, Kentucky
  • Chief Ed Walsh, Taunton

1:30 p.m. — How do we know this is working?

  • Dr. Davida Schiff, Massachusetts General Hospital
  • Sean Varano, Kelley Research Associates and Roger Williams University
  • Tomoko Udo, University of Albany School of Public Health
  • Capt. Dave Batchelor, Chelsea

2:15 p.m. — How do we include the recovery community?

  • Tito Rodriguez, P.A.A.R.I. Care Advocate & Outreach Worker, Gloucester
  • Cody Desmond, P.A.A.R.I. AmeriCorps Recovery Coach, Lynn
  • Steve Lesnikoski, P.A.A.R.I. Care Advocate & Outreach Worker, Essex County
  • Margie Taylor, P.A.A.R.I. AmeriCorps Program Coordinator, Burlington

3:15 p.m. — Spotlight on Essex County Sheriff’s Department

  • Sheriff Kevin Coppinger
  • Gary Barrett, Community Relations Coordinator
  • Darya Maslova, Assistant Director of Programs

3:45 p.m. — Closing Remarks from Chief Frederick Ryan

Wednesday, December 6

 

8:30 a.m. — Networking Breakfast

9 a.m. — Welcome from Chief Danny Langloss, P.A.A.R.I. Police Council Member, Dixon, Illinois

9:30 a.m. — Remarks from Gil Kerlikowske on criminal justice research on the opioid crisis

10 a.m. —  Remarks from Sarah Gordon Chiaramida, Massachusetts Association of Health Plans

10:15 a.m. —  How do we make an evidence-based treatment referral?

  • Dr. Alexander Walley, Boston Medical Center
  • Dr. Sarah Wakeman, Massachusetts General Hospital
  • Dr. Shorta Yuasa, Lahey Health Behavioral Services

11 a.m. — Spotlight on Plymouth County Outreach

  • Chief Scott Allen, East Bridgewater
  • Chief Michael Botieri, Plymouth
  • Lt. Richard Linehan, Brockton
  • Hillary Dubois Farquharson, Brockton Area Opioid Abuse Prevention Collaborative
  • Sarah Cloud,  Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Noon — Networking Lunch

12:30 p.m. —  Spotlight on Anne Arundel Safe Stations

  • Maryland State’s Attorney Wes Adams
  • Lt. Steve Thomas
  • Jennifer Corbin, Director of Crisis Response

1:15 p.m. — How do we form behavioral health partnerships?

  • Chief Tom Bashore, Nashville, North Carolina
  • Amanda Flory, Social Worker, Nashville, North Carolina
  • Chief Robert Bongiorno, Bedford
  • Alia Toran-Burrell, Clinician, Central Middlesex County

2 p.m. — Spotlight on New England HIDTA

  • David Kelley, Deputy Director
  • Bryan Volpe, Drug Intelligence Officer, Rhode Island
  • Margaret Hester, Public Health Analyst
  • James Cormier, Drug Intelligence Officer

2:30 p.m. — How do I start a program in my community?

  • Chief Tim Lentz, Covington Louisiana
  • Chief Joseph Solomon, Methuen
  • Sergeant Pat Greenhill, Berea, Ohio
  • Captain Greg Skehan, Burlington

3:45 p.m. — Closing Remarks Chief Langloss and Chief Ryan

 

Quotes:

“The hundreds of law enforcement agencies that have joined P.A.A.R.I. in the fight against addiction have made a tremendous impact and saved numerous lives,” P.A.A.R.I. Co-Founder and Chairman John Rosenthal said. “This summit will give police leaders from communities large and small a chance to share ideas and learn from one another so that they can continue to build upon their success in the fight to end the opioid epidemic.”

“The Commonwealth of Massachusetts relies on the innovative techniques and strategies developed by our local law enforcement officials to fight against the opioid epidemic,” Gov. Charlie Baker said. “We are glad the Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative chose to host a summit focused on bringing the best and the brightest in law enforcement together and we look forward to the progress this group can help us make on prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery.”

“Law enforcement has played a critical role in responding to the nationwide opioid epidemic, and we understand that recovery happens in the community,” Chief Ryan said. “I am very encouraged by the projected turnout for the inaugural P.A.A.R.I. National Law Enforcement Summit, and I look forward to sharing our experiences and learning the best practices of my colleagues from around the nation.”

 

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COIN Receives AmeriCorps Grant from P.A.A.R.I. to Bring on Full-Time Program Coordinator

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For Immediate Release

Friday, Oct. 6, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 978-743-0004
Email: john@jgpr.net

COIN Receives AmeriCorps Grant from P.A.A.R.I. to Bring on Full-Time Program Coordinator

Interested Applicants Encouraged to Apply

PEPPERELL — Chief David Scott is pleased to announce that the Community Outreach Initiative Network (COIN) received an AmeriCorps grant from the Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative (P.A.A.R.I.) to bring on a full-time program coordinator to support its efforts in member communities.

The program coordinator role is a one-year position and COIN is currently looking for interested applicants.

COIN, a 10-town collaborative in northwest Middlesex County, works to assist those suffering from substance abuse and mental health disorders by connecting them to services and treatment options in order to divert them from the criminal justice system.

Over the summer, P.A.A.R.I. partnered with AmeriCorps to place 20 part-time recovery coaches and five full-time program coordinators with police departments in Massachusetts, enabling those agencies to dramatically enhance their capacity to reach individuals in need and better support them as they work to access treatment and recovery programs and services. The program launched this month, and COIN is one of the organizations to earn a grant to support a full-time program coordinator.

“We’re happy to have received one of the AmeriCorps grants to bring in a full-time person who can further the work we’re already doing surrounding substance abuse and mental health,” Chief Scott said. “We encourage anyone who has an interest in these fields to apply.”

The program coordinator will work with COIN’s part-time interim health clinician and will:

  • Perform general outreach and help with awareness activities
  • Organize fundraisers and open house style awareness events, and compile information for outreach packets
  • Assist with locating and reviewing treatment facilities
  • Help police departments with referrals and data collection
  • Attend/take notes on steering committee and working group meetings
  • Organize prescription drug and needle disposal throughout member towns
  • Represent COIN at local awareness group meetings such as North Middlesex Cares and the Societal Heroin Addiction Awareness Resource Project.

The program coordinator will receive a monthly living allowance of $1,152.50, health insurance, professional development opportunities and valuable experience working in the field.

Those interested in applying should do so here.

About COIN:
The Northwest Middlesex County Community Outreach Initiative Network (COIN) is a collaboration among 10 police departments — Pepperell, Ashby, Townsend, Groton, Shirley, Ayer, Boxborough, Dunstable, Westford and Littleton – committed to addressing mental health issues and substance abuse disorders in their communities. Through its partnership with Family Continuity, a local mental health provider, COIN has brought in a mental health clinician to assist the departments with finding help for their residents in need and diverting them from the criminal justice system.

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P.A.A.R.I. Brings on Former Gloucester Angel Participant as New Care Advocate and Outreach Coordinator

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P.A.A.R.I.
John Rosenthal, Co-founder & Chairman
186 Main Street
Gloucester, MA 01930

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017

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

P.A.A.R.I. Brings on Former Gloucester Angel Participant as New Care Advocate and Outreach Coordinator

Steve Lesnikoski is P.A.A.R.I.’s new Care Advocate and Outreach Coordinator. (Courtesy Photo Wayne E. Chinnock Photography)

GLOUCESTER — John Rosenthal, co-founder and chairman of the Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative (P.A.A.R.I.), and Executive Director Allie Hunter McDade are pleased to announce that Steve Lesnikoski — the first person to go through the Gloucester Angel Initiative — is P.A.A.R.I.’s new Care Advocate and Outreach Coordinator.

Lesnikoski stepped into his new role on Sept. 11. His position is made possible through P.A.A.R.I.’s two-year project funded by a grant from the Evelyn Lilly Lutz Foundation.

“Steve’s journey, first with the Gloucester Angel Program and then P.A.A.R.I., has really brought him full circle,” Rosenthal said. “We hope every participant who has gone through an opioid recovery program can be as successful as Steve has been. We’re pleased to have him working full-time with P.A.A.R.I. assisting others like him who are trying to overcome substance abuse disorders.”

The partnership with the Lutz Foundation enables P.A.A.R.I. to collaborate with additional police departments in Essex County while expanding its staff to assist these agencies, a​s well as ​​individuals seeking treatment.

As a Care Advocate and Outreach Coordinator, Lesnikoski will work with law enforcement agencies to prevent opioid overdose deaths, engage more residents in effective treatment and recovery from substance use disorders, and improve coordination among hospitals, police and communities. His focus will be centered on police departments in the Beverly Hospital service area.

Lesnikoski previously worked at Eliot Community Human Services in Lynn, where he was a Peer Specialist in the Emergency Services Program. His role included assisting and providing aftercare follow up on post-overdose calls through Eliot’s Jail Diversion Program located in the Lynn Police Department.

In 2015, Lesnikoski reached out to the Gloucester Police Department, following the launch of its Angel Program, seeking help recovering from his opioid addiction. Since then, he has remained committed to assisting others through his work with P.A.A.R.I., first as a volunteer and then as an intern.

In March, Lesnikoski joined P.A.A.R.I. members in Washington to participate in the Senate Round Table to discuss steps leaders can take to address the nation’s opioid epidemic. Most recently, Lesnikoski joined Hunter McDade in Ohio to speak at a law enforcement-led rally on opioids.

“Over the last year, Steve has provided invaluable insight to P.A.A.R.I. and has positively impacted the lives of so many with his inspiring story,” Hunter McDade said. “We’re so pleased and thankful to be working with the Evelyn Lilly Lutz Foundation so that we can increase Steve’s presence and impact in Essex County.”

Lesnikoski is currently attending North Shore Community College, where he’s working to obtain an associate’s degree in drug and alcohol rehabilitation. He has been sober for more than two years.

To contact Lesnikoski, email him at steve@paariusa.org or call him at (888) 9-PAARI-9 ex. 705.

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New P.A.A.R.I. Project Aims to Increase Addiction Recovery Connections and Resources in Essex County

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P.A.A.R.I.
John Rosenthal, Co-founder & Chairman
186 Main Street
Gloucester, MA 01930

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

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

New Project Aims to Increase Addiction Recovery Connections and Resources in Essex County

Announcing a Two-Year P.A.A.R.I. Partnership with Evelyn Lilly Lutz Foundation

New Program Coordinator Hired and Partnership with Essex County Sheriff Launching

GLOUCESTER — John Rosenthal, Co-founder and Chairman of the Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative (P.A.A.R.I.), and Executive Director Allie Hunter McDade are pleased to announce the start of an exciting two-year project funded by a grant from the Evelyn Lilly Lutz Foundation.

Virtually all communities in Massachusetts and across the nation have been impacted by the rapidly growing heroin and opioid addiction epidemic. Essex County has been hit particularly hard, with drug overdose deaths rates higher than both state and national averages. Opioid overdose deaths have increased almost five-fold in Essex County since 2000. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from 2012 to 2014, an average of 426 people died annually in Essex County due to drug overdoses, with projections for continuing increases indicated in 2015 and 2016. Essex County has a drug overdose mortality rate of 2 deaths per 10,000 residents, which is higher than both state and national averages.

The grant from the Lutz Foundation totals $185,000 in 2017 and a potential additional $135,000 in 2018, in the form of a challenge grant, which will dramatically increase P.A.A.R.I.’s work in Essex County.

This grant will help P.A.A.R.I. bring on additional police departments in Essex County, while expanding its staff to assist these agencies, steer participants into recovery, train officers to use Narcan and overall assist law enforcement work with those suffering from addiction. Through this additional staff support and coordination, P.A.A.R.I. will work with law enforcement agencies to prevent opioid overdose deaths, engage more residents in effective treatment and recovery from substance use disorders, and improve hospital, police, and community collaborations.

The new P.A.A.R.I. outreach workers will receive training and initial supervision from leaders of the Gloucester Police Department Angel Program and Arlington Police Department Outreach Initiative. Applications are currently being accepted for these two positions.

“The life-saving and game-changing work started by the Gloucester Police Department and P.A.A.R.I. less than two years ago has expanded like wildfire across the Commonwealth and Country. Families in Essex County have been hit particularly hard by the opioid and heroin epidemic and we are very proud to partner with the Lutz Foundation and Beverly Hospital to bring more vital resources in the fight against the disease of addiction right here at home,” Rosenthal said. “Like with every other chronic disease without a cure, there are only two options, long term treatment or death.”

Added Hunter McDade: “This project empowers P.A.A.R.I. and all of Essex County to make real changes today in how we fight the opioid epidemic. This grant allows us to increase our staff and provide direct benefits to police departments that are placing themselves at the front lines in the fight against opioid addiction.”

The Evelyn Lilly Lutz Foundation is a nonprofit organization engaged in supporting and encouraging medical research and continuing education in connection with Beverly and Addison Gilbert Hospitals.

Dr. Suzanne Graves, President of the Lutz Foundation, initiated a request for proposals last summer to help encourage new thinking and new ideas for dealing with the escalating addiction crisis. “Addiction continues to impact so many families in our community,” Said Dr. Graves. “The problem is nearly out of control, but the creative solutions that P.A.A.R.I. is proposing will allow for improved care and support through this innovative collaboration with Beverly and Addison Gilbert Hospitals.”

Graves added, “The Lutz Foundation is thrilled to have helped lead the way on this new initiative.”

P.A.A.R.I. Introduces Program Coordinator Victoria Kiarsis

P.A.A.R.I. is pleased to welcome Victoria Kiarsis as the newest member of the P.A.A.R.I. team. Victoria will serve as Program Coordinator as P.A.A.R.I. launches this exciting two-year project with the Evelyn Lilly Lutz Foundation.

Victoria is a recent graduate from Emerson College where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Writing, Literature, and Publishing. She has been personally involved in recovery for over three years and is incredibly passionate about helping others get the care they need.

“P.A.A.R.I. blew me away when I first heard of it during the summer of 2015 and joining the team is truly a dream. I am so excited to start my professional career with such an amazing initiative that works to help the lives of people suffering with the disease of addiction,” Victoria shared.

In her role as Program Coordinator, Victoria will build relationships and manage communication with new and existing P.A.A.R.I. partners in Essex County, including law enforcement agencies, treatment providers, and community groups. She will also develop community resource kits, coordinate convenings and training sessions, track program data, and a variety of other tasks as P.A.A.R.I. embarks on this exciting new partnership.

“We are thrilled to have Victoria join our growing team to help launch this new project,” said Allie Hunter McDade, Executive Director. “Victoria will be central to the coordination and communication of this new project and we are pleased to have someone with such passion, determination, and shared life experience in the role.”

Victoria will be based in Gloucester at the P.A.A.R.I. office and can be reached at victoria@paariusa.org, or by calling her directly at (888) 9-PAARI-9 ex. 704.

P.A.A.R.I. Announces Essex County Sheriff’s Department as First Law Enforcement Project Partner

P.A.A.R.I. will work with 4-8 new law enforcement agencies in Essex County through the new project funded by the Evelyn Lilly Lutz Foundation. John Rosenthal, Co-founder and Chairman and Executive Director Allie Hunter McDade are pleased to announce that the Essex County Sheriff’s Department is the first law enforcement agency to become a project partner.

Former inmates are at extremely high risk for fatal overdose after release from prison, especially during the first two weeks. As such, P.A.A.R.I. will support the department’s rehabilitative, educational, and reentry programming to help individuals with substance use disorders make successful transitions back to the community.

“I am pleased to partner with The Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative (P.A.A.R.I.) in their work battling the opioid crisis,” said Essex County Sheriff Kevin F. Coppinger. “This epidemic affects every part of our society and every part of our society must be engaged in combatting it. P.A.A.R.I is an important weapon in this fight and I look forward to working with them in battling this scourge.”

Added Chief Ryan, who is also chair of the P.A.A.R.I. Police Council: “Adding a modern and progressive law enforcement agency with the history and track record of the Essex County Sheriff’s Department is the perfect way to kick off this major undertaking, as the mission of P.A.A.R.I. and its law enforcement partners continues to grow and rise to meet the challenge posed by opioids and the disease of addiction.”

Additional police departments and law enforcement agencies in Essex County are encouraged to reach out to Victoria Kiarsis, Program Coordinator, at victoria@paariusa.org if you would like to discuss being part of this project.

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