Westbrook police are set to announce an initiative this week aimed at combating heroin and other substance abuse in the city.

A press conference will be held on Thursday, Dec. 17, at 9 a.m., at the Westbrook Public Safety building on Main Street. The initiative is being called a “comprehensive community approach” that includes the participation of some 30 organizations.

Westbrook Police Chief Janine Roberts said Monday that planning began in August, following a month when there were eight overdoses in the city. Neighboring Portland has also had frequent cases.

According to a press release, the initiative will focus on three categories – prevention, intervention and enforcement – all with separate work groups, which Roberts will describe in detail Thursday.

“The press conference will include information on what we are doing and our future goals in these areas to educate our young, raise awareness in our community, provide resources to individuals and families living with substance use disorders, and utilize enforcement strategies, all to reverse the growing epidemic of substance use disorders in our community,” she said in the press release.

An expanded story will appear in this week’s American Journal, Thursday, Dec. 17.