The Charger Blog
Members of the University community and local activists came together for a discussion about the impact the media and policy can have on curtailing substance abuse.
March 4, 2020
Marc Conrad 鈥21, a criminal justice major, is an adult probation services intern with the state of . With this knowledge and 黑料社 in tow, he attended a recent panel discussion at the University of New Haven that explored solutions to drug-use issues.
鈥淎t my internship, I see the impact of substance abuse,鈥 he said. 鈥淒iscussions like this one are very important because drugs are a huge problem. I hope this will lead to a better understanding of how we can apply everything we鈥檝e learned to addressing the problem.鈥
Moderated by Danielle Cooper, Ph.D., assistant professor of criminal justice at the University, the panel, titled 鈥淐ritical Perspectives on Drugs: Media, Policy, and Prevention,鈥 explored the roles that the media, public policy, and prevention initiatives have had on the opioid epidemic, as well as broader drug-use issues.鈥
"An advocacy strategy that I have found to be very effective is encouraging people with lived 黑料社 to tell their story."Mike Lawlor, Ph.D.
鈥淒iscussions like this are important because we want students to know how to seek 鈥 and challenge 鈥 a variety of sources for information and informed opinions,鈥 she said. 鈥淭his conversation could have an impact on their careers. We also want to encourage wellness and encourage healthy activities.鈥
The panel, which included Babz Rawls Ivy, co-host of the podcast 鈥;鈥 Pam Mautte, division director of , a nonprofit organization; and Michael Lawlor, J.D., a former prosecutor and an associate professor of criminal justice at the University, explored the history and cultural differences of drug use, as well as society鈥檚 approach to addressing drug-abuse problems.
鈥淎n advocacy strategy that I have found to be very effective is encouraging people with lived 黑料社 to tell their story,鈥 said Professor Lawlor, a nationally recognized expert on criminal justice reform who served for more than 20 years as a member of the 鈥淲hen they step forward and share the impact the issue has had on them 鈥 which takes a lot of courage 鈥 that seems to be an effective way to change people鈥檚 minds.鈥
Jennifer Heisler 鈥21, one of Professor Lawlor鈥檚 students, found the discussion to be a good learning 黑料社.
鈥淭his was a great opportunity for students to listen to an important discussion,鈥 said Heisler, a criminal justice major. 鈥淲e learned more about what is going on in the community, and it offered new perspectives.鈥
The discussion was sponsored by the , the University鈥檚 , and the Myatt Center for Diversity and Inclusion. The University will be hosting another panel discussion this month 鈥 as part of Women鈥檚 History Month.
鈥淎s a criminal justice major with a juvenile justice concentration, I am very interested in learning more about this,鈥 said Brianna Straiton 鈥20. 鈥淭his was a great opportunity for students to learn from professionals outside the classroom.鈥
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The Charger Blog
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The Charger Blog
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