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Marc Conrad �Ӱ�ԭ��21, a criminal justice major, is an adult probation services intern with the state of . With this knowledge and experience in tow, he attended a recent panel discussion at the University of New Haven that explored solutions to drug-use issues.

�Ӱ�ԭ��At my internship, I see the impact of substance abuse,�Ӱ�ԭ�� he said. �Ӱ�ԭ��Discussions 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�Ӱ�ԭ��ve learned to addressing the problem.�Ӱ�ԭ��

Moderated by Danielle Cooper, Ph.D., assistant professor of criminal justice at the University, the panel, titled �Ӱ�ԭ��Critical Perspectives on Drugs: Media, Policy, and Prevention,�Ӱ�ԭ�� explored the roles that the media, public policy, and prevention initiatives have had on the opioid epidemic, as well as broader drug-use issues.�Ӱ�ԭ��

"An advocacy strategy that I have found to be very effective is encouraging people with lived experience to tell their story."Mike Lawlor, Ph.D.

�Ӱ�ԭ��Discussions like this are important because we want students to know how to seek �Ӱ�ԭ�� and challenge �Ӱ�ԭ�� a variety of sources for information and informed opinions,�Ӱ�ԭ�� she said. �Ӱ�ԭ��This conversation could have an impact on their careers. We also want to encourage wellness and encourage healthy activities.�Ӱ�ԭ��

The panel, which included Babz Rawls Ivy, co-host of the podcast �Ӱ�ԭ��;�Ӱ�ԭ�� 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�Ӱ�ԭ��s approach to addressing drug-abuse problems.

�Ӱ�ԭ��An advocacy strategy that I have found to be very effective is encouraging people with lived experience to tell their story,�Ӱ�ԭ�� said Professor Lawlor, a nationally recognized expert on criminal justice reform who served for more than 20 years as a member of the �Ӱ�ԭ��When they step forward and share the impact the issue has had on them �Ӱ�ԭ�� which takes a lot of courage �Ӱ�ԭ�� that seems to be an effective way to change people�Ӱ�ԭ��s minds.�Ӱ�ԭ��

Jennifer Heisler �Ӱ�ԭ��21, one of Professor Lawlor�Ӱ�ԭ��s students, found the discussion to be a good learning experience.

�Ӱ�ԭ��This was a great opportunity for students to listen to an important discussion,�Ӱ�ԭ�� said Heisler, a criminal justice major. �Ӱ�ԭ��We learned more about what is going on in the community, and it offered new perspectives.�Ӱ�ԭ��

The discussion was sponsored by the , the University�Ӱ�ԭ��s , and the Myatt Center for Diversity and Inclusion. The University will be hosting another panel discussion this month �Ӱ�ԭ�� as part of Women�Ӱ�ԭ��s History Month.

�Ӱ�ԭ��As a criminal justice major with a juvenile justice concentration, I am very interested in learning more about this,�Ӱ�ԭ�� said Brianna Straiton �Ӱ�ԭ��20. �Ӱ�ԭ��This was a great opportunity for students to learn from professionals outside the classroom.�Ӱ�ԭ��