Sessions

What is now hitting our streets and what can we expect in communities in the opioid world. 

• What are some trends that have led to the decreased consumption and sales of alcoholic beverages?
• Wild Wild West – THC Consumables
• How do we combat the discussed emerging trends?

This intermediate-level course is designed to equip law enforcement, prosecutors, treatment providers, and educators with essential knowledge of psychedelic substances—both traditional and emerging—for use in field response, investigation, and policy awareness. Psychedelic drugs have existed for millennia and have traveled a rich historical journey. In their early use, they were considered sacred by some cultures, often for spiritual and healing rituals, while being demonized by others for their mind-altering effects. Today, they are often recommended to treat an ever-lengthening list of problems, including depression, anxiety, addiction, PTSD, and chronic pain. As the psychedelic interest grows and we enter a “psychedelic renaissance”, many counties and states are making these substances more accessible for people who want to explore their perceived benefits, while others are interested in their hallucinogenic effects. This workshop explores the origin, cultural background, physiological and psychological effects, and physical identifiers of a broad range of psychedelics, including both classic compounds and new synthetic analogues. Upon completion, attendees will have a comprehensive understanding of how to recognize psychedelic substances and their effects, respond to related incidents with informed strategies, and adapt to the evolving legal and cultural landscape surrounding these drugs.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this training, attendees will be able to:

1. Identify many of the psychedelics, including their appearance, packaging, odors, paraphernalia, and behavioral indicators.

2. Have a better understanding of the pharmacological and psychological effects, including altered perception, risk factors, and overdose scenarios caused by psychedelics.

3. Have a better understanding of the growing intersection of psychedelics and mental health care and how therapeutic use is influencing public policy and law enforcement roles.

Youth experiencing substance use challenges often encounter systems that are reactive, fragmented, or punitive—pushing them further into cycles of justice involvement or crisis. The Assessment Center Framework offers a powerful alternative: a coordinated, cross-system response that diverts youth from formal processing and connects them to individualized, developmentally appropriate supports. This session will introduce the Assessment Center approach and its role in early identification, family engagement, and service navigation for youth facing substance use, mental health, or behavioral challenges. Participants will gain insight into how Assessment Centers serve as a trusted, trauma-informed front door to care—especially for youth who might otherwise be arrested, suspended, or overlooked.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the Assessment Center Framework and how it provides a community-based alternative to justice system involvement for youth in crisis.
• Identify effective practices for using Assessment Centers to respond to youth substance use, including screening, service matching, and warm handoffs.
• Understand how cross-sector partnerships within Assessment Centers—including law enforcement, schools, and behavioral health—can reduce duplication and improve outcomes.

This presentation will discuss the development, implementation, and benefits of a comprehensive Student Assistance Program. This model, which includes a robust program of prevention, early intervention, treatment, and recovery, creates opportunities for many students to obtain support before issues emerge and/or progress to significant illness. These efforts have long-term impacts on overall health and well-being, as well as improved academic success, which can be supported with data. For students who have identified/diagnosable substance use issues, this comprehensive model reduces barriers to accessing treatment in the community (transportation, availability, funding, etc.) and reduces disruption to academics for appointments in the community. A comprehensive system also reduces stigma and increases help-seeking behavior, which can shorten the time frame students go without care. When services are tied to the school, the burden is lessened on parents, and services can be better coordinated between systems.

Services delivered within the school building allow for better coordination between systems and encourage alignment of educational and overall student well-being, serving the whole child. School systems also benefit from increased student attendance when services can be accessed at the school, both by reducing time away from school for appointments in the community and school bonding when the full spectrum of students' needs are met in the school building. School climate and culture is improved when a robust system of behavioral health and well-being is implemented. Students who receive necessary care show an increase in academics and readiness to benefit from instruction and engage better in classes.

Objectives:

1. Introduce participants to the Student Assistance Program framework and how it is applied within school settings to address substance use across tiers of support

2. Participants will understand how this framework can be used to structure supports and services that are responsive to the individual needs of students

3. Participants will learn about the efforts undertaken across the Capital Region ESD 113 area to develop and sustain Student Assistance Programs and the impact it has had on students.