Narcotics Crime Strategies

Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office (Detroit, MI)

Population: 1,793,561 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 180 | Contact Information

The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office (WCPO) is working to prevent opioid-related overdose deaths by utilizing data science to locate and prioritize hotspots of overlapping opioid-related activity and violent crime, eliminating the threshold for case referrals to WCPO’s drug unit, and employing a one-person grand jury to streamline investigations of opioid-related overdose cases.

Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office (Memphis, TN)

Population: 935,760 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 112 | Contact Information

Through an Innovative Prosecution Solutions initiative, the Shelby County District Attorney General’s Office and its partners at the Memphis Police Department and the University of Memphis are working together to investigate fatal and nonfatal opiate overdoses through use of mobile Cellebrite technology known as UFED InField. This enables detectives to extract data from overdose victims’ cell phones at the scene, expediting identification of the victim’s supplier.

Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office (Milwaukee, WI)

Population: 600,000 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 120 | Contact Information

With assistance from an Innovative Prosecution Solutions (IPS) grant, the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office has hired an Opioid Community Prosecutor to improve opioid trafficking and death investigations and connect overdose victims with needed services. This special prosecutor works closely with the West Allis Police Department Drug Unit and the Wisconsin Department of Corrections to build cases and identify people who need treatment for addiction.

Office of the Worcester County District Attorney (Middle District Attorney) (Worcester, MA)

Population: 830,000 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 88 | Contact Information

The Middle District Attorney’s Office has established the Worcester County Overdose Death Response Initiative funded by an Innovative Prosecution Solutions (IPS) grant, modeled after a similar initiative in Richmond County, New York, to investigate all fatal opioid overdoses as potential homicides. Researchers at Fitchburg State University are conducting data analysis, which will help the team develop geographic investigation and prosecution strategies.

Circuit Attorney’s Office of St. Louis (St. Louis, MO)

Population: 318,070 | Number of Full-Time Prosecutors: 60 | Contact Information

The St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office has implemented a diversion program, supported by Innovative Prosecution Solutions, for defendants ages 18 to 25 who presented a moderate risk of re-offense. Participants are selected using the Ohio Risk Assessment System and a strict set of eligibility criteria. Once in the program, the young adults plead guilty to the crimes committed, regularly appear before a diversion judge, and are monitored by experienced probation officers.