Innovative Approaches to Substance Use Care + More LE/BH Wins

Redefining Recovery: How Communities Are Rethinking Substance Use and Crisis Response

June 04, 2025

Hey there,

Substance use response teams are evolving to meet people where they are—literally and figuratively. From mobile units to co-responder models, these teams are redefining how communities support recovery, reduce harm, and connect individuals to long-term care.

Let’s waste no time and jump into this week’s content:

Today’s Brief:

  • Substance Abuse Briefs

  • Chicago CARE Program

  • Georgia Pine’s Co-Responder Program

  • Social Media Briefs

    Total Read Time: 2 Minutes

👮💉 Substance Abuse Briefs

Delaware County launched an overdose response team pairing a paramedic with a certified recovery specialist to respond directly to 911 overdose calls. The team offers immediate stabilization and pathways to treatment, aiming to reduce repeat overdoses and emergency service strain.

The Alberta RCMP has created Community Response Teams to combat rising fentanyl-related incidents. These teams work with partner agencies using a data-driven strategy to prevent and disrupt drug crimes across the province.

Fraser Health opened a new Urgent Care Response Centre at Royal Columbian Hospital to improve access to mental health and substance use services. The center offers same-day support, crisis care, and links to ongoing treatment.

The City of Chicago's CARE program integrates behavioral health professionals into the 911 emergency response system to address mental health crises. Initially piloted with teams comprising mental health clinicians, paramedics, and police officers, the program has transitioned to a model staffed solely by Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) clinicians and emergency medical technicians.

CARE teams provide de-escalation, mental health assessments, and connections to community services, with follow-ups at one, seven, and thirty days post-intervention. Since its inception, the program has responded to over 1,500 calls, resulting in zero arrests and minimal use of force.

Evaluations by the University of Chicago Health Lab indicate a significant reduction in client distress and an increase in successful responses. The program is expanding, with plans to hire additional staff and extend services to more areas of the city.

Julota empowers smarter crisis responses by simplifying and streamlining Law Enforcement and Behavioral Health programs. By integrating hospital, EMS, and social services data into a centralized platform, it enables seamless, secure, and HIPAA-compliant collaboration. Automated reporting ensures compliance, while customizable workflows address community-specific needs. With actionable insights, teams can improve outcomes and secure greater funding, making Julota the only software purpose-built to bridge law enforcement and behavioral health with compassion and efficiency.

👉 Discover Julota Today

Georgia Pines, in collaboration with the Colquitt County School System and Sheriff's Office, is launching a co-responder program starting August 2025. This initiative pairs mental health professionals with school resource officers to address student crises related to behavioral health, substance use, or emotional distress. Funded by a grant from the Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program (COSSUP), the program aims to provide immediate support and connect students to appropriate services.

The co-responder will engage only after the scene is deemed safe by law enforcement. Georgia Pines plans to collect data throughout the school year to assess the program's effectiveness, with hopes of expanding it to other counties. This marks the first program of its kind in rural Georgia, aiming to reduce behavioral health interventions and improve student outcomes.

Social Media Briefs

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