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Operational Readiness Program: Opioid Use Disorder Crisis Training for Law Enforcement |
Foundational Skills & Advance Field Readiness for Complex OUD Response
Law enforcement professionals are often the first to encounter individuals in an Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) crisis, making it critical to have the right tools, training, and confidence to respond effectively. The Operational Readiness Program is designed as a two-part learning experience, starting with core foundations and progressing into advanced, real-world application.
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Operational Readiness 1.0 is required before enrolling in Advanced Readiness 2.0. This ensures you have the foundational knowledge needed to successfully apply the advanced strategies covered in the 2.0 course. Together, these courses are designed to support you at every stage - from understanding the basics to confidently managing high-pressure, real-world situations.
1.0 Program Curriculum
Each module introduces key concepts such as the CARE approach - Calm the Situation, Assess for Danger, Respond with Empathy, and Engage Resources - which serves as a practical framework officers can apply in the field. Officers will learn how to assess and manage high-risk situations, utilize verbal and non-verbal communication techniques, and connect individuals to appropriate care services. In addition, the course provides real-world case studies and scenario-based exercises that reinforce these skills and strategies in action.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Recognize the behavioral and physical signs of OUD and understand its impact on individuals and communities.
- Understand the role of co-occurring mental health conditions in complicating OUD treatment and response efforts.
- Know how to respond to an Opioid Overdose Emergency and the proper use of Naloxone.
- Apply verbal and non-verbal de-escalation techniques to safely manage crises involving individuals with OUD.
- Navigate the legal considerations involved in responding to OUD, including understanding the rights of individuals under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
- Utilize community resources and mental health services to provide ongoing support and care for individuals affected by OUD.
- Document crisis interventions effectively to reduce liability and protect both law enforcement and individuals in crisis.
Module 1 - Understanding OUD & Co-occurring Conditions
Gain an in-depth look at OUD and its common co-occurring mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. You'll learn to recognize the behavioral and physical signs of OUD, understand the challenges posed by co-occurring conditions, and explore the best practices for identifying individuals at risk. By the end of the module, you'll have a foundational understanding of how to respond effectively to these crises, focusing on compassionate care and safe intervention.
Module 2 - Recognizing & Responding to OUD
Become equipped with the tools and techniques necessary to recognize and respond to individuals experiencing a crisis due to OUD. You will explore the key behavioral and physical signs of opioid use and learn how to apply verbal and non-verbal de-escalation techniques to safely manage high-risk situations. This module emphasizes crisis intervention strategies that prioritize both officer and public safety, while helping individuals with OUD receive the care they need.
Module 3 - Best Practices for Field Collaboration
Learn how to engage with healthcare providers, treatment centers, and community resources to ensure individuals receive the appropriate care. Emphasizing harm reduction principles, this module covers best practices for field collaboration and the importance of building strong partnerships with local and state resources. By integrating these strategies, you'll foster safer interactions in the field. Additionally, you'll gain a comprehensive guide to national and local resources for mental health and substance use disorder treatment, reinforcing how to put these strategies into action and ensuring better outcomes for those in crisis.
Module 4 - Real-World Application & Resource Utilization
This module brings together everything you've learned through scenario-based exercises designed to apply the skills and strategies needed to handle crises involving OUD. You will participate in realistic scenarios, using the CARE approach - Calm the Situation, Assess for Danger, Respond with Empathy, and Engage Resources - as well as de-escalation techniques, collaboration skills, and referral processes to connect individuals with the appropriate resources. You'll also develop a Crisis Intervention Action Plan by incorporating the CARE approach and strategies you’ve learned to de-escalate the situation and ensure safety.
2.0 Program Curriculum
This course is designed for law enforcement professionals who have successfully completed Operational Readiness 1.0. Each module builds on the foundational CARE framework by introducing enhanced models including CARE-Under-Pressure, CARE-Plus, and FAST to support faster decision-making in complex, high-risk environments. These advanced frameworks help law enforcement professionals stay organized, think clearly, and respond more effectively as situations rapidly evolve. Throughout the course, you’ll strengthen your ability to assess layered risk, manage dynamic scenes, and apply advanced communication and positioning techniques in challenging environments. Through real-world, scenario-based exercises, you’ll develop practical skills for navigating situations involving polysubstance use, behavioral health crises, and multi-person scenes, while also building strategies for coordination with partners, diversion and deflection pathways, and maintaining officer wellness under sustained pressure.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Analyze complex, high-risk situations involving OUD, including emerging drug trends such as fentanyl analogs, xylazine, and polysubstance use.
- Apply advanced overdose response strategies, including post-stabilization decision-making and scene safety considerations.
- Utilize the CARE-Under-Pressure, CARE-Plus, and FAST frameworks to improve response consistency and decision-making in dynamic environments.
- Recognize and respond to behavioral health crises and co-occurring conditions in confined, crowded, or rapidly changing settings.
- Apply advanced verbal and non-verbal communication techniques to de-escalate resistance and reduce the likelihood of escalation.
- Coordinate effectively with EMS, crisis teams, peer support, and community resources to support safe and appropriate outcomes.
- Implement diversion and deflection strategies to reduce repeat encounters and connect individuals to treatment and support services.
- Apply practical strategies to manage stress, maintain focus, and support long-term officer wellness and resilience.
Module 1 - Emerging Threats & Advanced OUD Trends
Take a deeper dive into the evolving landscape of Opioid Use Disorder, including emerging drug trends such as fentanyl analogs, xylazine, and polysubstance use. You’ll explore how these substances impact behavior, response strategies, and officer safety in the field. This module builds on your foundational knowledge to strengthen your ability to recognize more complex and unpredictable presentations, helping you stay prepared for rapidly changing conditions and higher-risk encounters.
Module 2 - Advanced Overdose Response & Scene Safety
Expand your skills in responding to overdose situations with a focus on advanced, real-world challenges. You’ll go beyond initial response to explore post-stabilization decision-making, scene management, and ongoing safety considerations for both law enforcement and those involved. This module emphasizes critical thinking under pressure, helping you manage evolving situations where multiple risks, substances, and individuals may be present.
Module 3 - Behavioral Health & Complex Crisis Response
Build on your de-escalation skills to manage more complex behavioral health crises involving OUD and co-occurring conditions. You’ll apply enhanced frameworks such as CARE-Under-Pressure, CARE-Plus, and FAST to navigate high-stress situations, including confined spaces, crowded environments, and resistant individuals. This module focuses on improving response consistency, communication, and positioning to reduce escalation and increase safety for everyone involved.
Module 4 - Diversion, Deflection, & Officer Wellness
Focus on long-term outcomes by exploring diversion and deflection strategies that connect individuals to treatment and reduce repeat encounters. You’ll learn how to make informed decisions about next steps following a crisis, including coordinating with EMS, crisis teams, and community partners. This module also emphasizes officer wellness, providing practical strategies to manage stress, maintain focus, and support sustained performance in high-pressure roles. Through advanced scenarios, you’ll apply the full range of skills developed throughout the course.
Operational Readiness OUD Power-Packs
Included with each course are the Operational Readiness Power-Packs, designed to support real-world application, reinforce learning, and strengthen skills beyond the training experience. Across both the foundational and advanced programs, these toolkits include workbooks, field guides, discussion tools, templates, decision-making aids, scenario-based worksheets, wellness resources, and quick-reference materials. Created for practical use in the field and beyond, these resources put essential tools at your fingertips—helping officers and first responders build confidence, access critical information quickly, and stay prepared for today’s evolving challenges.
