The FBI Baltimore Field Office is pleased to announce St. Mary’s County Health Officer, Dr. Meenakshi G. Brewster, MD has been selected as the recipient of the 2017 FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award (DCLA).
The DCLA award was formally created in 1990 as a way to honor individuals and organizations for their efforts in combating terrorism, cybercrime, illegal drugs, gangs, and other crimes leading to violence in America. Dr. Brewster is one of 56 individuals or organizations across the United States who will receive this award this year for their service above and beyond the call of duty.
Dr. Brewster is being recognized for her dedication and commitment to working with law enforcement, other government entities and the community to combat the nation’s opioid crisis as she educates the community on awareness, prevention and treatment. She leads the local health department’s efforts to provide resources to the community and implement interventions to address the opioid drug crisis. Most importantly in helping the local, state and federal law enforcement agencies complete their mission, she recognizes the value of a relationship with law enforcement and a multi-faceted approach to combating this epidemic.
In conjunction with some of the outreach initiatives, Dr. Brewster has provided training and medication to citizens and law enforcement allowing for the individuals administer it to someone believed to be experiencing an opioid overdose.
Additionally, as the St. Mary’s County Health Officer, Dr. Brewster had issued a jurisdiction-wide standing order for naloxone to be dispensed by local pharmacies to qualified individuals, prior to a similar order being issued statewide. This standing order helped expand access to naloxone to those at-risk of experiencing an opioid overdose and make it easier for people to get naloxone from their local pharmacist when they need it.
Dr. Brewster chairs or participates in numerous boards to include Overdose Fatality Review Board and the Behavioral Health Action Team while playing a key role in assisting the St. Mary’s County Detention Center with issues related to mental health and addiction.
Director Wray will personally recognize and honor Dr. Brewster at an awards ceremony to be held in Washington, D.C. on April 20, 2018.
