Opioid Crisis Response PR
Santa Barbara, CA – April 15, 2025 – UCSB Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE) is proud to announce a vital new partnership with Zschool aimed at equipping communities to better respond to the ongoing opioid epidemic. This collaboration introduces specialized, self-paced training programs designed to empower police officers, educators, healthcare professionals, and community leaders with the skills and strategies to take action.
With over 100,000 lives lost each year to opioid-related causes—and a growing threat from synthetic opioids like fentanyl—this initiative addresses a critical need for practical, scalable training that can be implemented across sectors. Funded in part by the $26 billion national opioid settlement, these courses are timely, accessible, and designed for real-world impact.
Key Training Programs Include:
- Operational Readiness for Police Officers - This four-hour, online, self-paced course helps officers confidently and effectively manage high-risk encounters involving individuals with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) or co-occurring mental health conditions. The program introduces the CARE approach (Calm, Assess, Respond, Engage), emphasizing de-escalation, legal awareness, and connections to local recovery resources. Participants earn a UCSB digital badge upon completion. Learn more.
- Opioid Preparedness for Teachers and Schools - Educators gain tools to recognize early warning signs of opioid misuse, implement preventive strategies, and create safe, supportive learning environments that protect and empower students.
- Practical Strategies for Addressing Opioid Use - Designed for healthcare professionals and community leaders, this course covers evidence-based approaches to prevention, recovery support, and collaboration with local agencies.
“This partnership represents a significant step toward addressing the opioid crisis at its core,” said Denis Couturier, MBA, PhD(c), Dean of UC Santa Barbara Professional and Continuing Education. “Through targeted training, we’re giving professionals and community members the confidence and tools to take meaningful, life-saving action.”
Together, UCSB PaCE and Zschool are committed to turning the tide of the opioid epidemic—one course, one community, and one empowered response at a time.