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Switzerland couldn't stop drug users. So it started supporting them.

Taylor Knopf

January 21, 2019 |

North Carolina Health News |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Switzerland

By prioritizing treatment over law enforcement, Switzerland dramatically reduced its drug problem. In 1994, the country adopted a progressive policy to treat heroin addiction as a public health crisis, focusing on harm reduction, treatment, and prevention in addition to traditional law enforcement. The policy, which embraces medicated-assisted treatment and universal access to services, helped greatly reduce issues such as the incidence of HIV, drug overdoses, and deaths over the long-term.

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Victoria judge shaped mental health law

Jessica Priest

January 21, 2019 |

The Victoria Advocate |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Victoria, Texas

In Victoria County, Texas, juries were tasked with determining whether or not the person being tried was fit to stand trial, oftentimes wasting taxpayer dollars and delaying treatment for those that need it. To change this, a task force was assembled and together, they created a bill that put the responsibility of determining mental state into the hands of the judge rather than jury members.

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Rent-a-sister: Coaxing Japan's young men out of their rooms

Amelia Martyn-Hemphill

January 18, 2019 |

BBC |

Video |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: Japan, Tokyo

In Japan, an organization called New Start employs women that help men who are withdrawn from society. These men, called hikikomori, are often experiencing mental health issues, and cannot leave their homes. That’s where New Start’s rent-a-sister program comes in. These women spend months, sometimes years, with these men, building trust, giving advice, and adjust to society. The organization also provide halfway houses for these men, with 80% successfully re-entering society as independent individuals.

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Youth Empowerment

Jennifer Rooks

January 17, 2019 |

NH-PBS |

Broadcast TV Programs |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, New Hampshire

Across New Hampshire, youth are leading the fight against substance abuse. Programs like Dover’s Youth-to-Youth, Stand Up Sachems, Youth Leadership Through Adventure, and the Making it Happen Coalition, are all youth-led, adult-supported initiatives that are empowering young adults to create and disseminate substance abuse awareness and prevention campaigns. Fundamental to each of these efforts effective communication and creating a sense of community as key to prevention.

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Durham County Dismisses Hundreds of Traffic Fines as Part of a License Restoration Effort

Sarah Willets

January 15, 2019 |

INDY Week |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Durham, North Carolina

Durham County relieved hundreds of outstanding traffic fines in an effort to restore suspended driver's licenses. The program, called Durham Expungement and Restoration (DEAR), "identified more than 11,000 people eligible to have outstanding fines dropped" from charges resulting from court absence or inability to pay a traffic ticket.

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This Detroit farm is helping former inmates stay out of prison

David Hall

January 11, 2019 |

NBC News |

Broadcast TV News |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

When people are released from prison, they often have a hard time finding work due to time lapsed and prison records. RecoveryPark Farms in Detroit, Michigan aims to change this by providing job training in urban farming which benefits both the individuals and the community.

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How Singapore is using tech to rehabilitate prisoners

Varissara Charassangsomboon

January 11, 2019 |

GovInsider |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Singapore

The Digitalisation of Inmate Rehabilitation & Corrections Tool (DIRECT) project gives inmates in Singapore tablets to communicate with family members and access e-learning resources. Similar initiatives have been shown to reduce recidivism rates. “The resources in DIRECT allow for inmates to take greater ownership of their rehabilitation and prepare them for reintegration back into society upon their release,” Neo Ming Feng, the Deputy Superintendent of Prisons, said.

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In Licking County, Ohio, a Corrections Strategy That Offers Counseling, Art Classes, and Mindfulness Training

Jack Shuler

January 10, 2019 |

Pacific Standard |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Ohio

Day reporting, which serves as an alternative to to jail or prison for many with substance abuse disorders, provides intense, holistic programming to help participants recover. The personal relationships built in the programs are particularly helpful according to participants, although relatively little formal research has been conducted about the approach.

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How Vancouver is saving addicts' lives

Jeremy Cooke

January 08, 2019 |

BBC |

Video |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: Canada, Vancouver, British Columbia

Rather than treat opioid users like criminals, Vancouver has deemed it a public health crisis. The city, especially its downtown east side, witnessed 1,500 deaths in just one year from opioid use. Its approach is unique and multi-pronged – making Narcan, an overdose antidote, available to everyone, opening safe injection sites, and having a police presence – without arrests – on blocks where using remains high.

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School makes counseling cool for kids with a pop-up wellness center

Erica Bryant

January 02, 2019 |

Rochester Democrat and Chronicle |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York

In recent years, School 145 in New York City has significantly bolstered its mental health counseling services, with the help of the nonprofit Counseling in Schools, and test scores are starting to improve. "I have 52 students whose parents have given me letters saying 'in case I get deported, this is where my child is going.'" the principal explained, emphasizing the importance of providing mental health care resources at school. "And then we have to talk about college and career readiness."

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