I
am doing the project on making the public aware of the resources that are
available for people who are abusing drugs. The Drug Enforcement Administration
(DEA) does not have any initiative to not criminalize drug addicts for using
illegal drugs. I am an aspiring Special Agent and I want to be part of the
healing of communities that are hit with drugs. The way I see it, law
enforcement from all jurisdictions that are on the front lines to treat people
with drug problems. apart and simply putting people in jail without proper
correction is detrimental to our country. For example, fire departments, law
enforcement and, medical personnel opened their facilities and called them safe
stations for people to surrender their drugs and paraphernalia without the risk
of being arrested and charged. (Unless they have outstanding warrants, gun charges
and, other allegations)
After
speaking with Special Agent McMahon from the Newark Field Office, the DEA does
not provide funding for the safe stations to operate. At the same time, the
staff at the facilities are overworked and does not have all the time in the
world to treat every person who comes in. It is a huge setback because people
may not feel that they are getting the attention they need.
Newark
Police Department have something called the Hope 1 Van, which is a van that is
driven around the city to provide treatment to drug addicts in the communities that
are the most affected by the current opioid and fentanyl epidemic. The van was
given from Morris County Sherriff’s Office because the initiative was so successful
in their area.
New
Jersey has the 211 program where people can dial the number from their phones
so that they can be able to reach someone who can give them local services and
help. The number is free and available 24/7.
The
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment program (ADAPT), is a coalition
to help people who are struggling with alcohol and substance abuse by providing
them with medical services and resources for people in Essex County.
The
New Jersey Attorney General’s website, NJCARES.gov, have real time information
on how many overdoses have occurred in all counties of New Jersey.
The
DEA 360 program is an initiative to partner up with coalitions for the three
goals, prevention, outreach and, education. The DEA only handless the
investigation side of drugs and they relay those statistics to alliances so
that they can provide services in the most affected areas.
I
was able to obtain the extra information to the Community Outreach Specialist,
Kaelyn Dyson who works for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. (HIDTA) She
told me that people would have to look for information on themselves because
there is not any kind of advertising for these kinds of programs. At the same
time, it is a challenge for people to go out and show up for these kinds of
services because they are worried about getting arrested.
My
project will be creating an Instagram page for these kinds of services on
behalf of the DEA. This will be a Public Relations tool so that people are
aware of the services that are provided for free. I will put a questionnaire under
the Guidance of COS Dyson so people can answer and be compelled to acquire more
resources and using them. I can add the hashtag, “WinWin” because it is a win
win win type of situation. There is really nothing to lose. We can look for
ways to increase funding for the safe stations and more vans out on the streets
so that they can provide more treatment. On the Story side of the page, I can
put motivational quotes and statistics so that people can be motivated on
helping themselves. The idea is to start a trend, and have it spread like
wildfire all over social media. If this project really works out, COS Dyson and
PIO McMahon may be able to acquire the page for future work.
I
decided to do this project because I sat down and really thought about what I
want to make. After hearing people doing social media pages, I was inspired to
do so. The best thing was that the PIO and COS believed that this a great idea
and that the public not knowing about these services is a huge issue. It literally
means the difference between life and death for people across Essex County.
This
project has a personal impact not only because I will face this on the job but,
my cousin was a drug addict in the past back in Puerto Rico. He struggled for
many years and he eventually overcame the drugs. Now he is super religious and
is working for his wife and two sons. This is much more than a project to me.
This is my direction to help people.
Links
Images
The
members of the Hope One Van from Morris County at the Morristown Fall Festival.
October 2018
The
360 Strategy brings Diversion, Law Enforcement and, Community Outreach to
address heroin/opioid use in their communities. (2018)
The
ADAPT Program works with people to overcome their struggles with substance and
alcohol abuse. (2018)
This is the Instagram page I created. I already started to promote the free healthcare services. I will add much more soon.
No comments:
Post a Comment