Kira Meidam of Oshkosh, a senior criminal justice and psychology major, was the first UWO student to take part in a unique internship that focused on aspects of controlled drugs and collaboration with government agencies.
Criminal justice and psychology major Kira Meidam is tackling her senior year at the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, reflecting on a truly unique internship last summer—one that focused on illegal drug supply, demand and harm reduction.
The Oshkosh native was the first to take part in a customized internship with a constellation of law enforcement and pubilc health partners that introduced her to the services available in her own community.
“Before, I was not that interested in the substance use area, but after my internship, it has really opened my eyes to the many possibilities and ideas about the factors leading some individuals to commit crimes and about those who are victims of drug-related crimes,” Meidam said.
Statistics from the annual report of the Winnebago County Overdose Fatality Review show Winnebago County recorded 47 overdose deaths in 2023— a number that dropped 49% to 24 in 2024. Of the 24, 11 were the result of a Fentanyl overdose; 22 had a known history of substance use; and 15 of the 24 individuals had a previous mental health diagnosis.
Meidam’s internship involved several agencies—the Wisconsin Division of Community Corrections, the Oshkosh Police Department Narcotics Unit, the Winnebago County Public Department and Behavioral Health Services. Meidam took ride-along opportunities with police and was able to understand the many services the health division provides to help reduce drug harm. She saw the number of forms and paperwork probation agents complete; went on home visits, attended drug court, visited the prison and jail, went on office visits and more.
Criminal Justice major Kira Meidam studied supply, demand and harm reduction aspects of illicit drugs in a unique internship.
Unique opportunity
Meidam said she applied for the internship on Handshake and over a period of months, her professor, D. Alper Camlibel, connected with agencies and departments.
“To my knowledge, this is the first internship program among the nation’s universities to focus on the three aspects of controlled drugs and collaborate with government agencies specializing in drug supply, demand and harm reduction,” Camlibel said. “This internship program is designed to equip criminal justice students with a practical, interagency approach to understanding and addressing issues related to the supply and demand of controlled substances and the role of harm reduction in promoting public safety and health.”
Camlibel stressed that the internship emphasized real-world applications, policy analysis, community engagement and interagency collaboration.
D. Alper Camlibel
Meidam was able to get a first-hand view of potential career paths.
Her inspiration for studying criminal justice is a bit unexpected—some of her family has experience on the other side of the law.
“I decided on criminal justice back in high school, as it caught my interest. I have personal experience from my family’s history, and I love helping people. (Several) of my family have a criminal background… I was labeled a lot in elementary and middle school as a gangster, hooligan and others. I know many individuals struggle with horrible situations daily, and I have always wondered how I can take part in helping.”
Comprehensive learning experience
Camlibel said he created the internship in collaboration with key partners—the Oshkosh Police Department’s Narcotics Unit, Winnebago County Public and Behavioral Health departments, the Wisconsin Division of Community Corrections (Winnebago Region), and UWO Career Development Services—focusing on critical dimensions of drug-related issues of supply, demand and harm reduction.
Following graduation in spring, Kira Meidam plans to begin work on her master’s degree.
He says it’s something that’s been a priority for him.
Interaction with the Oshkosh Police Department Narcotics Unit members allowed Meidam to experience enforcement strategies against drug supply chains.
Her time with the Winnebago County Public and Behavioral Health Department helped her learn about prevention, treatment and harm reduction—including Narcan training and learning about the Overdose Fatality Review Team.
With coordination from Community Corrections, she had the chance to observe client interactions, drug court participation, risk assessments and help with rehabilitation programs and educational workshops to understand the role of corrections in addressing substance use for people under supervision.
“There are many resources and services provided by the Public Health Department, the Department of Community Corrections and the Oshkosh Police,” Camlibel said. “With their help, they have decreased overdose rates, increased graduation rates at drug court, helped keep drugs off the street, reduced drug trafficking, reduced drug-related offenses, prevented the spread of infectious diseases, reduced children’s exposure to illicit and toxic substances and much more.”
Meidam started her college studies at another university but returned home within two years. At Oshkosh, her double major in criminal justice and psychology comes with intent of becoming a behavioral analyst or forensic psychologist. Her plan is to build on her bachelor’s degree and obtain a master’s degree and doctorate.
“I am really invested and interested in helping people—those who are victimized and those committing the crime, as they both need help in different ways,” she said.
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