Brandon Ihde is a 17-year veteran of the Billings Police Department and Chair of the Yellowstone County DUI Task Force. During Brandon's career, he has been assigned to the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) and served as a K9 handler, Drug Recognition Expert (DRE), and instructor of firearms, Stop Sticks, and RADAR/LIDAR. Brandon is the CEO of K316 Detection LLC., which provides narcotics, explosives, and pipeline leak detection using K9 services and thermal imaging technology.
This course will provide an overview of where contraband can be hidden in plain sight, as well the capabilities of using K9s to promote safe environments and detect harmful substances. Attendees will have the opportunity to view a live K9 deployment during the presentation.
Samantha Morris is the owner of The Chemnet Consortium. Chemnet is a full-service drug and alcohol testing facility that provides services for employers in the state of Montana and a nationwide network of employers who value drug-free workplaces. Before purchasing Chemnet, Samantha managed a drug and alcohol program at the supervisor level for 18 years, which has made her training courses relatable, informative, and engaging for supervisors and business owners from all industries. Samantha is a commercial-rated pilot and a graduate from Rocky Mountain College with a B.S. in Aeronautical Science.
This course will cover current drug use trends. Participants will explore what marijuana use looks like today, discuss teen drug use trends, and learn exmaples of sneaky options to hide drugs. This presentation will provide information about the teen room that will be on display throughout the symposium and will close with a drug dog demonstration that you will not want to miss!
Dr. Horn received her Doctorate in Psychology from Walden University in 2019. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Licensed Addiction Counselor in Montana. Dr. Horn currently works as the Chief Behavioral Health Officer for Rimrock Foundation, a CARF-Accredited co-occurring treatment facility that provides the full ASAM continuum of care in Billings, MT. In this role, she oversees the clinical services for all programs, provides ongoing training and education for clinical and support staff, and supervises the mental health counseling team. She is passionate about changing systems to improve access to care and reduce the stigma that surrounds mental health and substance use disorders. Dr. Horn has accreditation from NAADAC - the National Association of Addiction Professionals - as a Master’s Level Addiction Counselor (MAC) and a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP). She is also the President-Elect for NAADAC and chairs the Clinical Supervision Committee.
Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) is the process by which an organization recognizes and understands how trauma impacts clients and staff. Trauma-informed individuals recognize trauma-response behaviors and practice responding appropriately without escalation. This session will provide an overview of TIC and teach practical TIC skills for individuals and organizations.
Dave Nordel is a retired United States Air Force Command Chief Master Sergeant with over 30 years of service. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Registered Nursing, specializing in Emergency Medicine, and a Master's degree in Disaster and Emergency Management. Dave is a Bronze Star combat-decorated medic and the recipient of the Legion of Merit, our nation's 6th highest military decoration. He has operated in Saudi Arabia, Somalia, South America, Iraq, Korea, Japan, and Hungary. Dave grew up in a dairy farming family in rural Northern California; he left home at nineteen to join the Air Force, ascending through the enlisted ranks to culminate as the senior enlisted leader for all nuclear missile forces in the United States. He has vast experience leading both small and large groups of people and has led city government activities and large organizations as an emergency manager for multiple communities during the Covid pandemic and other disaster situations. As the author of the international best-selling book Giving Back: Life and Leadership from the Farm to the Combat Zone and Beyond, Dave founded Max Fab Consulting, providing keynote leadership, organizational growth, and strategic guidance. Dave is actively involved in using his journey with PTSD to help transitioning veterans and other victims of trauma deal with the condition in a healthy manner. He is an active mentor and speaks to young leaders to aid their development and future success and continues to give back the gifts he has collected along the way. To learn more about Dave and invite him to speak at your next motivational event, visit maxfabconsulting.com.
Montana's first responders, law enforcement, and military personnel stand on the frontlines of service, often carrying unseen burdens that put them at risk. With some of the highest suicide rates in the nation, Montana's wide-open spaces can feel isolating, but no one has to face the battle alone.
This session dives into the realities of occupational stress, PTSD, and moral injury—exploring how the very traits that make someone a strong protector can also increase their vulnerability. We'll highlight regional risk factors, warning signs, and real-world strategies to challenge stigma, recognize when help is needed, and close the critical “25-yard gap.” Through evidence-based approaches, peer-driven solutions, and insights from Montana's own outreach campaigns, we'll reinforce the message: You are not alone. If not you, then who?
Ryan Hutton is a full-time law enforcement officer in the state of Missouri. He has 15 years of experience in law enforcement. When he created Extract-ED Training, his goal was to train law enforcement, prosecutors, and civilian entities on various topics, including marijuana, drug trends, drug impairment, officer wellness, and leadership.
He has given presentations on drug impairment for the Missouri Office of Prosecution Services, the Colorado District Attorneys Council, the New Hampshire Office of Highway Safety, the Florida Coalition for Highway Safety, the National Life Savers Conference, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. He is the lead Marijuana Instructor for the state of Missouri, Missouri Office of Prosecution Services, University of Central Missouri, and Missouri Southern State University.
He was awarded Officer of the Year in 2013 by Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Trooper of the Year in 2017 by the Law Enforcement Traffic Safety Advisory Council.
An increase in drug use has led to an increase in officers contacting people driving a vehicle while high. Standardized Field Sobriety Tests are tests designed for officers to detect impairment. Originally, the tests were validated using people who were intoxicated on alcohol. This presentation discusses ways to overcome these challenges in court and reviews scientific research studies, which have tested the sensitivity of field sobriety tests on drug-impaired drivers.
Delta-8 THC is an up-and-comer and law enforcement knows very little, if anything, about it. What is it? Is it legal? Does it get you high? There are many questions that need answers. This course covers changes made in the 2018 Farm Bill that relaxed oversight of hemp production, what forms delta-8 can be found in, the psychoactive effects of delta-8, and the legality of delta-8 when extracted from hemp and cannabis.
Shane Bancroft was born and raised in Northern New Jersey but has called Montana home for more than 25 years. He served with the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office from 1998 until his retirement in 2021. Throughout his career, Shane served as a Patrol Officer, Crisis Negotiator, Coroner, Undercover Officer and Case Agent with the Rocky Mountain HIDTA Task Force, and Major Case Detective with the Sheriff's Office. He is a graduate of the National Forensic Academy at the University of Tennessee, known as "The Body Farm." Today, Shane works with the State of Montana's Cannabis Control Division as an Inspector. Shane is in charge of investigating businesses that may be producing or selling synthetic marijuana products. He travels the state acting in both educational and enforcement capacities; though he is based in Billings, he travels about 35,000 miles a year in order to cover the entire state.
This session will discuss the Federal Farm Bill that legalized hemp in 2018 and explore how science subsequently allowed ways to transform legal, non-intoxicating hemp into illegal, high-potency marijuana. These synthetic products were prohibited for sale in Montana in 2023 but were completely legal from 2018 until 2023. Shane will explain and provide examples of what the state is doing to educate and eradicate this lingering problem. This educational presentation is designed for the general public and is thus not science-heavy. Q&A time will be available at the presentation's conclusion.
Stephanie provides trial and research assistance to the state's prosecutors in the fields of traffic safety and DWI prosecution. She serves as Special Assistant Prosecutor or Special Prosecutor in various counties throughout the state. Ms. Watson also creates and teaches courses in legal reference materials - including case law updates, legal analyses, and training programs - to prosecutors, law enforcement officers, and other traffic safety professionals. She has been a prosecutor since 2007 and has focused solely on impaired driving cases since 2013.
This presentation reviews the basics of testifying in an impaired driving case and includes in-depth discussions on courtroom testimony in marijuana-impaired cases. This session will provide tips on report writing, preparation for testifying, effective case presentation on direct examination, and cross-examination questions unique to marijuana-impaired driving cases.
Dominic Syracuse is an actor, standup comedian, and cognitive behavioral specialist. As a performer, he has shared the stage with such legends as Bob Saget and Christopher Titus, been featured in multiple films on Amazon Prime, and toured comedy clubs across the nation. Through his company, he has used acting and improvisation techniques to teach the principles of positive psychology to hundreds of organizations and groups, including the U.S. Military, E.R. nurses, and inmates in maximum security prisons.
This highly engaging keynote offers insights into the mind's power to create both catastrophes and triumphs. By blending evidence-based cognitive principles with years of film and stage experience, Dominic offers an invigorating approach to mastering your emotions that is as entertaining as it is effective!
Sergeant Scott Newell has been a sworn law enforcement officer for more than 31 years. Early in his career, Sergeant Newell developed an affinity for DUI detection and enforcement. Currently, he is a patrol sergeant with the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office. Sergeant Newell works the nightshift for the sheriff's office, and he is still actively making DUI arrests. To date, Sergeant Newell has made 1,106 DUI arrests in his career. He has been a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) for more than 14 years and is also a DRE Instructor. In his career, Sergeant Newell has been a member of the Madison County DUI Task Force and the Gallatin County Task Force.
The drug impaired driver. How to identify the drug impaired driver. What you (the officer/deputy/trooper) need to do at the scene. When to call for a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE). What the DRE needs from the officer/deputy/trooper. How the DRE evaluates the driver. Simply collecting blood from the suspect is not enough- a DRE evaluation is still needed. What the crime lab needs from a blood sample. How to use and interpret the toxicology results. What trends is the crime lab seeing. What does the prosecutor need from the officer/deputy/trooper. What to expect in court if you are called as a witness. How to respond to defense attorneys- traps, questions, creating doubt. The future of DUI enforcement in the current legislative session.
Darla Tyler-McSherry was raised on a wheat farm in Lonesome Prairie, Montana, which lead her to purse her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the University of Montana in Health and Human Performance. She was involved with college health for 30 years and retired as the Director of Student Health Services at Montana State University Billings. Darla now serves as the Coordinator for the Yellowstone County DUI Task Force, Chair for the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Yellowstone Valley, Secretary for Horses Spirits Healing, and Secretary for Vet READY. Darla's passion for helping people inspired her to become the founder and visionary of Ask In Earnest, an initiative designed to address mental health, depression, and suicide in the farm and ranch populations; she embraces the role of serving as an agent
of positive change and advocacy for these hardworking communities that helped build America.
Montana's first responders, law enforcement, and military personnel stand on the frontlines of service, often carrying unseen burdens that put them at risk. With some of the highest suicide rates in the nation, Montana's wide-open spaces can feel isolating, but no one has to face the battle alone.
This session dives into the realities of occupational stress, PTSD, and moral injury—exploring how the very traits that make someone a strong protector can also increase their vulnerability. We'll highlight regional risk factors, warning signs, and real-world strategies to challenge stigma, recognize when help is needed, and close the critical “25-yard gap.” Through evidence-based approaches, peer-driven solutions, and insights from Montana's own outreach campaigns, we'll reinforce the message: You are not alone. If not you, then who?
Rocky is an Alcohol and Drug Prevention Ambassador with a varied and interesting career history. From 1990 to 2021, he served as a DEA Special Agent. Since 2008, he has worked as a school-based drug prevention educator; in this capacity, he has given approximately 1,400 presentations in 17 countries to more than 260,000 youth aged 11 to 22. And, since 2021, he has also worked for the San Diego County Office of Education.
In the absence of mandated and funded drug prevention education programs in schools, there is still an urgent need to give students basic information, understandings, and warnings about the drug threat today. Rocky has developed a single-session program called "I Choose My Future," which is a motivational talk he delivers in schools in the U.S. and around the world to teach children the ways that substance abuse impacts the individual, the family, the community, our country, and the wider world. The assembly is supported by 6 no-cost educational videos available at the San Diego County Office of Education website, available in English and Spanish, that are designed for use in classrooms and in homes by parents. In this presentation, Rocky will explain the threat of drugs today and will explain the methodology he uses to engage student audiences as large as 2,000.
Rocky is an Alcohol and Drug Prevention Ambassador with a varied and interesting career history. From 1990 to 2021, he served as a DEA Special Agent. Since 2008, he has worked as a school-based drug prevention educator; in this capacity, he has given approximately 1,400 presentations in 17 countries to more than 260,000 youth aged 11 to 22. And, since 2021, he has also worked for the San Diego County Office of Education.
In the absence of mandated and funded drug prevention education programs in schools, there is still an urgent need to give students basic information, understandings, and warnings about the drug threat today. Rocky has developed a single-session program called "I Choose My Future," which is a motivational talk he delivers in schools in the U.S. and around the world to teach children the ways that substance abuse impacts the individual, the family, the community, our country, and the wider world. The assembly is supported by 6 no-cost educational videos available at the San Diego County Office of Education website, available in English and Spanish, that are designed for use in classrooms and in homes by parents. In this presentation, Rocky will explain the threat of drugs today and will explain the methodology he uses to engage student audiences as large as 2,000.
A native Montanan, Judge Knisely graduated from Texas Christian University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology before attending law school at the University of Montana. After she received her Juris Doctorate, she returned to Billings to serve as a law clerk for the Hon. Russell K. Fillner, District Court Judge, Thirteenth Judicial District before becoming a Deputy City Attorney for the City of Billings. She spent more than seven years as a criminal prosecutor, working on traffic, juvenile, domestic violence, drug-related, and DUI Cases. In 1997, Judge Knisely was elected as Billings Municipal Court Judge, a position in which she served for 13 years. As Municipal Court Judge, she annually presided over more than 30,000 filed charges, including misdemeanors, minors in possession of alcohol, and drugged and impaired driving cases. In 2010, Judge Knisely was elected to the District Court of Montana's Thirteenth Judicial District, Yellowstone County. She assumed general jurisdiction in January of 2011, which was the year she started the STEER Felony DUI Treatment Court and CAMO Veterans Treatment Court, two programs that are still active and serving the community today. She became the Chief Presiding Judge for her District in 2014 and is the longest tenured district court judge in Yellowstone County.
This presentation will educate participants on why DUI Treatment Courts are important to serving the community and lowering recidivism and show how a treatment court is the best way to rehabilitate a DUI offender to ensure they don't commit the same crime again in the future. This presentation will explain how the STEER Treatment Court is funded, what the participants' lives look like when they are in STEER, the screening process for STEER, who STEER's community partners are, and what this program's graduation rate is.
A Billings native, Andrew graduated from Rocky Mountain College in 2014 with a Degree in Psychology. Andrew spent four years as a Behavior Specialist at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, then another four years in Child Welfare as a Child Protection Specialist for the Department of Public Health and Human Services. Andrew was assigned to Judge Jessica Fehr's Family Treatment court and worked with the families who were involved with the Family Court; this is where he got his knowledge in the functioning of treatment courts before starting to work for Judge Knisely as the Vets and DUI Treatment Court Recovery Planning and Outreach Coordinator.
This presentation will educate participants on why DUI Treatment Courts are important to serving the community and lowering recidivism and show how a treatment court is the best way to rehabilitate a DUI offender to ensure they don't commit the same crime again in the future. This presentation will explain how the STEER Treatment Court is funded, what the participants' lives look like when they are in STEER, the screening process for STEER, who STEER's community partners are, and what this program's graduation rate is.
Michelle earned a B.S. in Chemistry with an emphasis in Forensic Chemistry from the University of Montana. She has been a Forensic Toxicologist with the State of Montana's Forensic Science Division for the last 12 years. Michelle's main casework focus is DUIs, though she does both alcohol and drug testing. She is the main connection for the laboratory to the DRE program in Montana, and she creates and maintains all the alcohol and drug driving statistics on cases submitted to the laboratory for the State of Montana.
Michelle completed the Montana Law Enforcement Basic Academy's Driving Under the Influence Week, ARIDE, and audited the Drug Recognition Expert School. She is a member of the Society of Forensic Toxicology and The International Association of Forensic Toxicologists, as well as a Diplomate with the American Board of Forensic Toxicology.
This presentation explores the important and multifaceted role DREs play in DUI enforcement.
Jordan serves as a Public Health Analyst for the Overdose Response Strategy Team at the CDC Foundation in Montana. Jordan's career path has been defined by a series of impactful roles. From spearheading outreach and quality improvement initiatives at the Montana WIC Program to assuming the role of Public Health Officer in Powell County, Montana, Jordan's work has consistently focused on improving rural community health outcomes. With a Master of Public Health from the University of Nevada, Reno, Jordan has been instrumental in shaping and implementing comprehensive public health programs.
The Montana Overdose Response Strategy Team, Will and Jordan, will illustrate the current drug trends in Montana and the work of the different drug task forces. The ORS team will also describe the current and recent overdose data for Yellowstone County and the ongoing prevention and response work.
Will Janisch has over 15 years of combined law enforcement and military experience throughout a career that spans various roles and responsibilities. He was previously certified as a Peace Officer in the State of Colorado, with prior licensing in North Dakota, Will has demonstrated expertise as a Patrol Sergeant, Deputy Sheriff, Police Officer, Evidence Custodian, Evidence Technician, Correctional Officer, Emergency Medical Dispatcher, and Emergency Medical Responder. Will's military background as a Human Intelligence Collector in the U.S. Army Reserve, with a deployment to Iraq, further contributes to their extensive skill set.
Currently serving as a Drug Intelligence Officer with the Montana Department of Criminal Investigation, Will plays a pivotal role in the Overdose Response Strategy.
Will's dedication to public safety, combined with a diverse skill set and a commitment to ongoing learning, positions them as a valuable expert in the fields of law enforcement.
The Montana Overdose Response Strategy Team, Will and Jordan, will illustrate the current drug trends in Montana and the work of the different drug task forces. The ORS team will also describe the current and recent overdose data for Yellowstone County and the ongoing prevention and response work.
Adam was born in WA and moved to MT when he was 3. His family owned the Bohemian Corner Cafe in Central MT just outside Roy, MT. When he was 12, he and his family moved to the big city of Grass Range, MT outside of Lewiston. His parents divorced when he was 14, and he started drinking shortly after. He graduated high school in 2006 and moved to Bozeman for college. He went to college for 1 year before dropping out due to partying and not going to class. He got his first DUI in 2007, moved around, and then ended up in Billings in 2009. He then got another DUI in September of 2010, followed by another in January 2011. He was sentenced to Drug Court and graduated in January of 2012. He started working retail while in Drug Court and moved up in each position, eventually going from Cabela's to Lowe's to Billings Hardware. He was hired by BPD in December in 2020. He has been married for 11 years and has 3 kids: a son who is 10, a daughter who is 8, and another daughter who is 3.
In this presentation, Adam will share personal experiences - from his upbringing to his time in the Drug Court program. By sharing his success story, Adam will show first-hand the positive impact of the Drug Court, as well as provide inspiration to others who seek to choose an alcohol-free and fulfilling life.
Jenna Solomon, MPHC, is the Prevention Programs Coordinator and a Tobacco Education Specialist at RiverStone Health. She moved to Billings in 2021 to pursue a career in public health after graduating with a degree in Political Science and certificate in Public Health from the University of Colorado Boulder during the COVID-19 pandemic. With her lifelong passion for social justice and a drive to make the world a better place, she hopes to focus her career in public health on applying upstream solutions and improving health outcomes in the communities in which she lives, works, and plays.
This session will include a brief history of kava and kratom, how they are used, their availability, the human health impacts, and current regulations and enforcement protocols. This presentation will also touch on designer drugs and synthetic marijuana.
In particular, this session will focus on the regulation of kava and kratom in Yellowstone County food establishments by describing the current status of kava and kratom service in these establishments; outlining the regulations governing the use in licensed establishments; discussing challenges in enforcement, including non-compliance; explaining shifting business practices around kava and kratom service; and outling the compliance strategies being implemented by RiverStone Health.
Jordan Machado is a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS) with RiverStone Health in Billings, where she has worked as a sanitarian since 2024. She is responsible for ensuring compliance with public health regulations across programs including food safety, onsite wastewater management, air quality, public accommodations, and childcare facilities. She holds dual degrees in Biochemistry and Sociology with a minor in Microbiology from Montana State University in Bozeman. Drawn to environmental health for its intersection between natural and social sciences, Jordan is committed to protecting public health and ensuring safe environments for the community.
This session will include a brief history of kava and kratom, how they are used, their availability, the human health impacts, and current regulations and enforcement protocols. This presentation will also touch on designer drugs and synthetic marijuana.
In particular, this session will focus on the regulation of kava and kratom in Yellowstone County food establishments by describing the current status of kava and kratom service in these establishments; outlining the regulations governing the use in licensed establishments; discussing challenges in enforcement, including non-compliance; explaining shifting business practices around kava and kratom service; and outling the compliance strategies being implemented by RiverStone Health.
