Donnie Varnell served as the head of the State Bureau of Investigation’s Diversion and Environmental Crimes Unit before becoming NCHRC’s law enforcement liaison to advocate for naloxone access, connections to care and treatment, and the introduction of Law Enforcement-Assisted Diversion (LEAD) programs. He is now an investigator with the Dare County Sheriff’s Office and continues to work to support the integration of harm reduction services within law enforcement agencies.