Partnership Power: Anti-drug Groups & Law Enforcement

A dictionary lists the word partnership as a synonym for coalition. Anti-drug groups need to work together with law enforcement and first responders, but sometimes making that happen is difficult. There are often misconceptions and misperceptions on both sides. Law enforcement isn't just about locking people up and without anti-drug groups, there would be nobody to lead the charge for new ordinances and laws.

Finding common ground can really make a difference. During this hour-long CADCA-TV training broadcast, learn from leaders who have been lucky to have good relationships. See what they learned and how you can make progress in your community. Watch how a coalition in Columbia, South Carolina works with multiple law enforcement agencies to train officers about dealing with teens who use alcohol and other drugs.

Learning Objectives

• See why coalitions and law enforcement need to learn to speak the same language
• Learn about Weed & Seed and how it relies on partnerships
• Watch how a coalition found a training gap for law enforcement and filled it
• Find out how data sharing can help both coalitions and law enforcement work more efficiently

Content Providers

William Pitman, Chief of Police, Eloy, Arizona

William "Bill" Pitman has served as the Eloy Chief of Police since 2001. Pitman was born in Brooklyn, New York and served in the U.S. Army. He joined the Norwalk, Connecticut Police Department in January 1972.

After serving in a variety of roles in Norwalk, Bill became Chief of Police in Shelton, Connecticut in 1988. In 1992 he became the Chief of Police in West Wendover, Nevada.

After leaving West Wendover Pitman relocated to Chandler, Arizona where he taught at Chandler-Gilbert Community College and was later hired to run the Central Arizona Law Officers Training Academy at Central Arizona College. After three years at CARLOTA, Pitman became Chief Livestock Officer for the Arizona Department of Agriculture where he headed the livestock inspection and livestock cruelty programs.

Pitman holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Iona College in New Rochelle, New York, a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of New Haven in West Haven, Connecticut, and a Juris Doctorate from Quinnipiac College School of Law in Hamden, Connecticut. Bill was admitted the bar to practice law in Connecticut.

Pitman and his wife of more than 33 years, Linda, live in Eloy, Arizona. They have three children, Adam, Karen and Aaron and six grandchildren.

Jesse C. Turner, pastor, Elm Grove Baptist Church, Pine Bluff, AR & Executive Director of Interested Citizens for Voter Registration, Inc.

The mission of Interested Citizens for Voter Registration, Inc. is to improve the quality of life for all people regardless of race, religion or socioeconomic status, with special concerns for young people. Turner also serves as Program Coordinator for the Pine Bluff and Central Park Weed and Seed Initiative a United States Department of Justice Office of Justice Program. He is a board member of the Pine Bluff Jefferson County Economic Opportunity Commission, Inc.

Turner has extensive training in crime and drug prevention, neighborhood restoration and community building. In November 2004, his work was featured in the Community Anti-drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) The CADCA Strategizer 47.

Rev. Turner has been a presenter and panelist for national weed and seed conferences as well as for local and state programs in Arkansas. He is presently enrolled in the Southern New Hampshire University National Community Economic Development Program studying for his Masters Degree in Community Economic Development. He and his wife Linda reside in Pine Bluff, they have been married nearly 39 years and have four children April, Kacey, Byron and Jessica. They are the proud grandparents of six grandchildren.

Ralph Varela, Chief Executive Officer for Pinal Hispanic Council, Eloy, AZ

Ralph Varela has been Chief Executive Officer for Pinal Hispanic Council for the last 18 years. Varela has been a national consultant for the past 15 years in the areas of substance abuse prevention, treatment, cultural competency, and community mobilization. Varela has been Project Director for nine federal prevention and treatment grants (including two Drug Free Communities grants and a Drug Free Coalition Mentoring grant). He was recently appointed to the CADCA Coalition Advisory Committee and also served CADCA as a Lead Mentor for two years. Varela has been the Chairperson of the Eloy Governors Alliance Against Drugs for the past 17 years and is a Council member for the City of Casa Grande. Varela served as Vice Chairman of the Arizona Liquor Board for three years and served a total of five years.

Varela received his Masters in Social in 1982 from Arizona State University.