Posts Tagged ‘Brian Besser’
Utah Opioid Task Force Convenes, Says Farewell to DEA District-Agent-in-Charge Brian Besser
November 25, 2019
Today, the Utah Opioid Task Force convened to discuss the opioid crisis in Utah and to consider new programs and resources.
Miss it? Listen to the audio here:
Trauma and Suicide Screening and Response
Dr. Brooks Keeshin with the University of Utah and Primary Children’s Hospital presented on the link between childhood trauma, suicide, and substance abuse. Keeshin has been working with the Children’s Justice Centers to help screen children at risk and get them the resources they need.
The Appropriate Use of the DEC Exam
Dr. Toni Laskey with the University of Utah and Primary Children’s Hospital presented on her work to create more effective medical exams and care for drug endangered children.
Sober Peer
Ed DeShields presented on Sober Peer, an upcoming app for those struggling with addiction, powered by an artificial intelligence-driven system that measures recovery, predicts outcomes, and suggests “best”, next steps for treatment.
For more information: soberpeer.com.
BluNovus
James Hadlock presented on the need for personal connection in the fight against opioid addiction and mental illness. Additionally, he presented on BluNovus, a company that helps employers connect employees to mental health resources and works to end the stigma.
For more information: blunovus.com
Farewell to DEA District-Agent-in-Charge Brian Besser
Utah Attorney General Sean D. Reyes presented an award to DEA District-in-Charge Brian Besser for his incredible work in the fight against the opioid crisis in Utah and in the Opioid Task Force. Besser will head to Washington, D.C. in a new role in the DEA. We congratulate Besser and thank him for all that he has done. He will be dearly missed here, but we look forward to working with him in his new role.
[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”31″ sortorder=”670,671,672,673,674,675,676,677,678,679,680,681,682,683,684,685,686,687,688,689,690,691,669,692″ display=”basic_slideshow” arrows=”1″]D.A.R.E. unveils new curriculum addressing opioids
At a press conference today, D.A.R.E. America announced its entrance into the fight against opioids by unveiling a new curriculum focused specifically on the dangers of opioids and prescription drugs. Utah Attorney General Sean D. Reyes and DEA District Agent in Charge Brian Besser were on hand to support the new move for the decades-old program.
Over 2.5 million Utah students have been trained in drug awareness and preventions since D.A.R.E. launched almost three decades ago. However, as the challenges of youth have changed, the D.A.R.E. education programs have had to evolve to meet those ever-increasing needs.
The recent rise of opioid addiction and overdose deaths have compelled D.A.R.E. America to create lesson plans that help students navigate a new reality throughout the states.
These lesson plans go beyond the traditional “Just Say No” slogan to strategies that provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to help their peers who may be struggling as well as make good and healthy decisions in every area of life.
You can watch the entire press conference here:
Additional coverage of the event can be found at:
Fox13: D.A.R.E. fights opioid crisis with new lesson plans
KSL-TV: D.A.R.E. Program Steps Up Curriculum For Utah Students