This podcast episode is part of the Opioid Affected Youth Initiative's nine-segment podcast series.
The Opioid Affected Youth Initiative’s nine-segment podcast series, Answering the Call, seeks to examine the roles and perspectives of first responders, marginalized communities, and justice systems, as well as the role of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention in the opioid crisis. In this episode, "The Frontline", Christopher Menapace will spotlight the critical role of emergency medical services (EMS) in addressing the opioid crisis and share his unique perspective on how the opioid epidemic has presented significant challenges to communities across the country. Mr. Menapace is an assistant fire chief in Mount Vernon, Ohio, responsible for overseeing EMS, fire operations, and the Prevention Bureau, as well as improving the delivery of services to the community. He also implemented the Whitehall’s Help for Overdose (WHO) program to help reduce opioid misuse, addiction, and fatalities by assisting with treatment, recovery, and prevention of opioid usage.