September's episode features the Sheriff's Office and Crisis Intervention Training. DCSO and or partner agencies throughout Durham County participate in the CIT Program. The training our deputies, detention officers, and communicators receive helps them to recognize mental health signs, and symptoms, as well as how to apply de-escalation techniques. The study covers homelessness, substance abuse, and other special populations such as veterans and those with developmental disabilities. Sheriff Birkhead speaks with DCSO's CIT Coordinator Lt. Antionette Page and Durham's CIT Manager Mr. Laylon Williams about the program and why it's an important part of DCSO's overall response strategy.

As we reach the 5th Anniversary of the Sheriff's Medication Assisted Restorative Treatment Program or SMART, Sheriff Birkhead talks about how the first detention center opioid treatment program in the State is helping detainees recover from addiction. He is joined by the supervisor of the SMART Program Tammy Vaughn and community health worker Ronald Gary as they look back on the program's start and what's in store for the future.

During Star Talk's episode 8, Sheriff Birkhead and Criminal Investigation Division Capt. Eric Carpenter discuss common scams and fraud that are occurring with increased frequency in Durham County and throughout the state. They also touch on other ways to protect yourself from crimes like property theft while at home and away.

If you need more information on scams and fraud you can visit the websites for the North Carolina Attorney General or the Federal Trade Commission. If you'd like someone from the Sheriff's Office to come and speak at your community organization about these issues or any others call us at 919-560-7474.