The Little-Known Program Contributing to a Decline in Overdose Deaths in the US

Overdose deaths in the U.S. have declined unevenly since fall 2023, with states like West Virginia seeing notable reductions. One contributing factor gaining attention is crisis intervention training (CIT) for law enforcement, a program originally designed to help officers recognize and respond to mental health conditions.

CIT equips officers to identify substance use crises, engage empathetically, and connect individuals with treatment rather than incarceration—a strategy shown to reduce overdose risk. Experts emphasize “warm handoffs” to treatment and prioritizing patient needs, highlighting how collaborative, public health-centered policing can improve outcomes and save lives. Read more from the Guardian here.