The CLEARS Project: A Pathway for Community-Law Enforcement Collaboration on Substance Use

In the face of increasing substance use crises, finding ways to transform how communities and law enforcement engage is critical. This is where the CLEARS Project—Community-Law Enforcement Aligning in Response to Substance Use—steps in. Designed and facilitated by the Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute (ADAI) at the University of Washington, CLEARS was initiated to explore new, regionally tailored solutions for interactions between law enforcement and people who use drugs. The goal? To foster empathy, mutual understanding, and actionable policies that improve public safety while supporting those affected by substance use.

A Collaborative Model for Change

The CLEARS Project adopts a policy co-design process, emphasizing that the most effective solutions are those shaped by the communities they affect. Since 2022, ADAI has engaged local stakeholders from seven sites across Washington State, encouraging law enforcement, health professionals, community leaders, and individuals with lived experience to participate in designing responses that resonate with their unique community challenges.

Dana Pearlman, a systems change facilitator, is particularly passionate about projects like CLEARS, which bring diverse voices together to co-create solutions. Dana believes that true transformation emerges when we integrate insights from individuals across the community, encouraging participants to explore deep questions about how substance use issues are addressed.

Fostering Transformational Change through Systemic Facilitation

Dana Pearlman brings a wealth of experience to community-led change initiatives. She has supported organizations worldwide in engaging in complex, multi-stakeholder dialogues that lead to actionable insights and collaborative problem-solving. Her approach integrates methodologies like The Art of Hosting Conversations that Matter, a practice she champions for building inclusive, community-driven responses.

Drawing from her background in clinical psychology and strategic leadership towards sustainability, Dana’s facilitation style emphasizes deep listening and systems thinking. She encourages stakeholders to step into conversations with curiosity, respect, and a shared commitment to outcomes that benefit everyone. Her work aligns with CLEARS by championing processes that are rooted in empathy and the shared power of collective wisdom.

Bringing It All Together: Policy Codesign in Action

CLEARS is not only about creating policies—it’s about transforming how communities interact and respond to complex issues. Each participating region in Washington has developed its own tailored response, proving that solutions are most impactful when they emerge from the communities they aim to serve. The policy co-design process not only yields innovative solutions but also strengthens the very fabric of the communities by building trust and mutual understanding.

In a world facing unprecedented social and environmental challenges, Dana Pearlman’s leadership philosophy reflects the essence of CLEARS: that lasting change requires fostering alignment, inclusivity, and a readiness to listen and adapt. The CLEARS Project stands as a model of what can be achieved when communities take an active role in shaping their futures, demonstrating that the most profound solutions are those that tap into the collective wisdom of all stakeholders involved.