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CIT Training Linked to Decline in overdose Deaths
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(Wheeling, West Virginia) – A decline in overdose deaths across the U.S. since fall 2023 may be linked to increased adoption of crisis intervention training (CIT) for law enforcement, according to a recent analysis by The Guardian.
A growing number of police departments are implementing CIT programs, which aim to equip officers to de-escalate situations involving substance use and mental health crises, potentially contributing to a national decrease in overdose fatalities.
- Overdose deaths have been declining nationally since the fall of 2023, but the reasons remain unclear.
- Early research suggests a correlation between jurisdictions with CIT programs and a reduction in overdose fatalities.
- CIT training focuses on recognizing substance use disorders, empathetic communication, and connecting individuals with treatment resources.
Nationally, overdose deaths have been declining since the fall of 2023, though public health experts have yet to reach a consensus on the cause, The Guardian reported in an analysis published October 17, 2025.
CIT Training and Overdose Response
One factor receiving limited attention is the growing implementation of crisis intervention training for law enforcement. Initial research comparing areas with and without CIT programs indicates that this intervention is associated with a decrease in overdose deaths.
CIT, which originated in the late 1980s, was initially designed to help officers identify mental health conditions and guide individuals toward resources and treatment instead of incarceration. The training has gained popularity among law enforcement agencies in response to the ongoing overdose epidemic.
“As more police officers recognize that substance use disorders are a pandemic,more have become interested in crisis intervention training,” said Yolandah Mwikisa,the crisis response unit supervisor for the Wheeling,West Virginia,police department.
“More of them want to do their jobs better. They want to avoid lawsuits. They really want to understand what people are going through,” Mwikisa said.
CIT equips officers with the skills to recognize individuals struggling with substance use and experiencing a crisis, communicate with them empathetically and calmly, and encourage them to seek treatment. Mwikisa explained that connecting people with treatment and recovery can reduce their likelihood of committing crimes and potentially prolong their lives, even if recovery isn’t permanent. Conversely, she stated, incarceration increases the risk of fatal overdose and continued substance use.
The Importance of Treatment Access
Richard Frank,a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution who previously coordinated the Obama managementS opioid response,emphasized that directing individuals toward treatment rather than jail requires more than just good intentions; it demands effort. He highlighted the importance of a “warm handoff,” where an officer directly transports someone to a treatment facility rather than simply providing a phone number.
Mwikisa echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of prioritizing the needs of those struggling with substance use.”People aren’t going to want to tell their story twice,” she said, explaining that she proactively contacts treatment facilities to streamline the process and minimize the burden on individuals seeking help.
Mwikisa noted that CIT training demonstrably
