For Immediate Release

Monday, Oct. 16, 2017

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

P.A.A.R.I. to Host Inaugural National Law Enforcement Summit

GLOUCESTER — The Police Assisted Addiction and Recovery Initiative (P.A.A.R.I.) is pleased to announce it will hold its inaugural National Law Enforcement Summit this December.

This groundbreaking event will connect law enforcement leaders who currently run, or would like to learn more about how to launch, a police-led access to addiction treatment program that helps prevent overdose deaths and steer people suffering with substance use disorders into recovery.

The P.A.A.R.I. Summit, which will be held Dec. 5-6 at the Boston University School of Medicine, will offer a first-of-its-kind look at how law enforcement agencies have successfully provided access to addiction treatment through a renewed approach to the opioid epidemic.

“Our partners have committed to taking an innovative and impactful approach to this nationwide epidemic, and we’re eager to share and discuss our law enforcement based access to treatment programs directly with more law enforcement leaders across the Country,” Arlington Police Chief and P.A.A.R.I. Police Council Chairman Frederick Ryan said. “Our over 320 PAARI law enforcement partner agencies in 31 states have seen tremendous success by providing desperately needed access to opioid addiction treatment, and we’re looking forward to sharing best practices and expanding these life-saving programs through this summit.”

While P.A.A.R.I. law enforcement members are strongly encouraged to attend, registration is now active and open to all members of law enforcement and their guests. Click here to learn more about the event and sign up.

“In just two years, P.A.A.R.I. has completely altered the dialogue on law enforcement’s role in addressing opioid addiction in America,” former White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Director and P.A.A.R.I. Board of Directors member Gil Kerlikowske said. “The National Law Enforcement Summit gives us an opportunity to amplify and add more voices and stakeholders to that conversation, while empowering our police colleagues nationwide to join P.A.A.R.I. and provide police based access to treatment initiatives in their communities.”

P.A.A.R.I. also wishes to thank the Massachusetts Association of Health Plans and the Boston University School of Public Health for their ongoing support and sponsorship of the National Law Enforcement Summit. Others interested in sponsoring the event are encouraged to contact P.A.A.R.I. Executive Director Allie Hunter McDade at allie@paariusa.org.

###