Averhealth has launched our Customer Ambassador Program. It's a new initiative to harness the knowledge of our customers to gain insights about new services and product offerings, customer service, and enhancements to Aversys, our web-based application.
Averhealth is an industry knowledge hub. To build upon that, Customer Ambassadors will share ideas to help us stay ahead of changing trends in criminal justice and technology. They'll also help us gain actionable insights to enhance our operations while ensuring all of our customers get the most out of their partnership with Averhealth.
Thank you to our initial customer ambassadors. We look forward to their comments and suggestions.
Derrick Mensah
Statewide Substance Use Services Manager
Office of the Commissioner of Probation (MA)
Melissa Patrick
Support Services Manager
Des Moines Municipal Court (WA)
Bill Castaneda
Division Director, Operations
Pima County Adult Probation Department (AZ)
Allen E. Bell
Agency Director
Midland Judicial District CSCD (TX)
Shelby Johnson
Director
Henrico County
Community Corrections Program (VA)
Chris Pawlowski
Deputy Chief
Chester County Probation/ Parole & Pretrial Services (PA)
Jessica Thayer
Associate Director
Salt Lake County Criminal Justice Services (UT)
Mary Wolfinger
Program Coordinator
Kootenai County Mental Health Court (ID)
Darcy Kamau
Program Coordinator
Cobb County DUI Court (GA)
Opioid Courts Tackling Deadly Problem
With a raging national opioid epidemic, opioid intervention courts provide immediate screening, treatment, and support services to prevent overdose deaths.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 107,000 people died of an overdose in 2021—more than twice the number of US traffic fatalities or gun-violence deaths. The CDC says it's the leading cause of death among people 18-45. Two-thirds of these deaths involved synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times more potent than heroin.
It's National Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Supervision Week!
Averhealth proudly supports our partners in pretrial, probation, and parole supervision as the American Parole and Probation Association (APPA) celebrates PPPS Week.
It's a chance during the third full calendar week every July (this week!) to celebrate over 100,000 community corrections professionals around the country who work hard to keep our communities safe. As the APPA prepares for its 47th Annual Training Institute to be held Aug. 28-31, POs are encouraged to consider the 2022 PPPS Week theme: "Restoring Trust, Creating Hope."
This year marks the 23rd anniversary of the celebration, which began when APPA members requested that states recognize professionals in community corrections nationwide. In 1999, APPA started lobbying every state to proclaim that one week in July is Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Supervision Week.
As a proud platinum sponsor, the Averhealth team is excited to welcome 7,000 attendees to this year's NADCP RISE22 in Nashville, the world's premier conference on addiction, mental health, and justice reform kicking off next week.
Be sure to visit us at Booth 111 in the Delta B lobby at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. Then make plans to join our workshops:
Attend two engaging workshops we're presenting:
July 25 at 2:45 p.m.: "Veterans Treatment Courts: Never Stop Moving – 10 Years, 10 Tips." Our panel – Averhealth board member Gen. Barry McCaffrey (Ret.), Judge Bill Anderson, court administrator Jerry Easter, and veteran Brad Bell – will outline the benefits of veterans' treatment courts and how the program in Shelby County, Tenn., has achieved 10 years of success. Mr. Bell will then tell us how he credits the court for turning his life around. (You can read more about Mr. Bell in our recent blog.) This session will be held in Ryman Ballroom A/B.
July 26 at 9:30 a.m.: "A Snapshot of Community Drug Trends – Popular Street Drugs Used to Avoid Drug Testing Detection." Back by popular demand is the Tall Cop, Jermaine Galloway, who will focus this session on popular street drugs – over-the-counter and plant-based drugs – that are of interest to avoid drug testing detection. You'll also learn about what stash clothing is being purchased for those seeking drug-related items. Join us for this session in Ryman Ballroom D/E.
Upcoming Conferences
Make plans to see Team Averhealth at this upcoming state conference:
Texas Probation Association Legislative Conference August 7-10 at Hilton Palacio Del Rio in San Antonio.
American Probation and Parole Association (APPA) Annual Training Institute August 28-31 at the Hilton in Chicago.
Industry News
Study Identifies Ways to Deliver Jail-Based Addiction Treatment
States can improve ways to deliver jail-based treatment to fight opioid addiction. That's the conclusion of a study published in Addiction Science and Clinical Practice.
The study concludes that increased use of evidence-based clinical guidelines, more significant investment in resources, and expanded partnerships with health and social service providers can improve treatment reach and save lives.
Interviews with New Jersey jail personnel found that despite obstacles – short jail stays and limited resources, for example – they identified creative solutions to deliver medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD).
New research shows that binge drinking – more than five drinks in one setting – is prevalent across the adult lifespan, with most of it occurring among those over 30 years old.
A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine finds binge drinking is increasing among adults, even those over 50, partly due to the stresses of life in the Covid era.
A significant amount of adult binge drinking escapes public health scrutiny because it occurs among individuals who drink at a moderate average level. This observational study examines the role of a binge pattern of drinking in predicting alcohol problems among moderate drinkers in a US national sample of adults.
Binge drinking was linked with an almost three times increase in the number of concurrent alcohol problems. These results make the case that binge drinking is a public health concern among adults and that moderate average-level drinkers should be included in efforts to reduce alcohol problems in adults.
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Partner with Averhealth!
For more information on how you can partner with Averhealth for all of your drug testing needs, please reach out to sales@averhealth.com.
Need a resource?
SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) open 24/7
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) open 24/7
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