The rise in drug use on transit systems has become one of the most pressing and complex challenges for U.S. public transportation agencies. TRB hosted a webinar on Tuesday, October 14, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM Eastern that highlighted a first-of-its-kind report documenting how transit agencies in five cities—Portland, Denver, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Philadelphia—are responding to this issue. Presenters shared program and policy responses that address the impacts of illegal drug use on customer and staff safety and security, drawn from a literature review, in-person agency visits, staff interviews, and ride-alongs with outreach workers and law enforcement. Presenters also discussed key challenges, areas of opportunity, and knowledge gaps in agency responses.
This webinar was based on TCRP Synthesis 179: The Impacts and Responses to Drug Use on Transit.
This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program.
The slides are available. 
 
Webinar agenda and presenters

• Impacts and Responses to Drug Use on Transit – David Cooper, Leading Mobility Consulting
• Impacts and Responses to Drug Use on Transit – Emily Grise, School of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Alberta
• Question and answer session moderated by Willem Klumpenhouwer, Klumpentown Consulting

The first 40 minutes of the webinar were for presentations and the final 20 minutes were reserved for audience questions.
 
Learning Objectives
At the end of this webinar, participants can:

• Identify effective responses to the scale and scope of substance use impacts on transit systems

 
American Institute of Certified Planners Certification Maintenance Credits
This webinar was approved by the American Planning Association (APA) for 1 Certification Maintenance (CM) Credit. CM credits provide continuing education opportunities for AICP Certified Planners to continue their professional skills and knowledge. To receive CM credits, Certified Planners should visit the TRB event webpage on American Planning Association and register their participation. If you have problems reporting your CM credits or have general questions about the CM program, please contact the APA.