Posted: Wednesday, May 10, 2017

At a press conference on Monday, May 8th, The Providence Center announced their new partnership with the West Warwick Police Department (WWPD). The initiative, known as the “WWPD Drug Overdose Prevention Pilot Program,” is part of TPC’s Community Diversion Program, which places clinicians in local police departments with the aim of diverting people away from the criminal justice system and into the proper services.

The program has been successful in both the Providence and Warwick Police Departments, and the West Warwick Program will focus on preventing overdose and treatment for substance use disorders. Heather Seger is a TPC clinician that will serve within the department as the project’s “behavioral health navigator.”

Seger’s role will include:

• Riding along with officers on patrols to help divert people with substance use disorders into treatment and away from the criminal justice system
• Conducting outreach efforts with vulnerable populations in the community
• Providing substance use training to all WWPD officers

Representatives from the WWPD, The Providence Center, Thundermist Health Center, The Rhode Island d Department of Health, Health Equity Zone, West Warwick Town Council, West Warwick Fire Department, West Warwick Public Schools, and West Warwick Probation and Parole were in attendance.

West Warwick Police Chief Colonel John Magiera spoke about the toll that addiction has taken on the community. “This epidemic has no boundaries. It affects people of all ages and economic status. As law enforcement officers, we know we can’t arrest our way out of this issue,” said Magiera. "With the introduction of Heather Seger, our behavioral health navigator, we’ll create a system in which we can provide substance use training to our officers so they’re better informed to assist our citizens."

Seger remarked on what she hopes to accomplish in the community. “Nationally, estimates are that 90% of people with a substance use disorder do not get treatment. If Rhode Island is to turn the corner on this epidemic, we need to do a lot of things, but clearly, we need to help more people get connected with treatment and recovery supports,” said Seger.

“People are understandably hesitant to place trust in law enforcement when struggling with substance use because, historically, it has been associated with arrest or incarceration. With the help of this department and support of our community partners, we’re working to change the culture.”

To view the full press conference, click here.