Presenter: Stephanie McCladdie, MPA
Description: This opening session will provide participants with useful information on the present initiatives of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Specifically, attendees will be able to examine epidemiological trends for the state of North Carolina, with the most recent data and information available presented. And, attendees will also be able to identify the data and the challenges of the opioid epidemic within the Southeast region of the country.
(Sponsored By: SAMHSA)
Presenter: Roshanna Parker, MS
Description: This session will focus on current reentry efforts in North Carolina. The goal of this workshop is to provide agencies with information on the emerging challenges and opportunities related to offender reentry. We will discuss the role of corrections, community corrections and the community in ensuring successful reintegration. We will look at the development of Local Reentry Councils as a comprehensive approach to reintegration and public safety. Participants will learn about local initiatives designed to support a seamless system of reentry.
Presenter: Jim Martin, MS
Description: The presentation will describe the new landscape of e-cigarettes and other emerging nicotine delivery devices in NC and the nation.
Participants will receive the latest state and national data on the prevalence of tobacco use, including e-cigarettes. The presenter will describe the known health risks, marketing and current policies for e-cigarettes and other nicotine products. Participants will also learn about evidence-based educational resources for tobacco use prevention and cessation, including e-cigarettes.
Presenter: Attorney General Josh Stein, JD
Description:. Attorney General Josh Stein will present broad strategies for addressing the opioid epidemic in North Carolina, including prevention, treatment and recovery, and law enforcement. He will highlight legislation passed by the state General Assembly including the STOP Act, the HOPE Act, and the Synthetic Opioid Control Act. He will also discuss lawsuits against two opioid manufacturers and a multi-state investigation into other manufacturers and distributors of prescription opioids.
Presenter: Kody H. Kinsley
Description: Deputy Secretary Kinsley will discuss the current progress of North Carolina’s fight against the Opioid epidemic and NC’s Opioid Action Plan. He will discuss plans for federal and state funding to continue providing prevention and treatment services to those with substance use disorder. He will also describe upcoming changes to the North Carolina healthcare system and the impact that they will have on services provided to those with SUD.
Presenter: Joe Williams, PharmD
Description: This session will focus on the practical aspects of prescription and non-prescription drug use and abuse from the pharmacist perspective. What to look for as red flags in clients will be discussed, such as patients wanting lower prescription drug strengths vs. higher strengths for elevated pain, which makes a difference in street value, making them not as recognizable for selling.
Signals for doctor shopping and multiple pharmacy use will be discussed. Issues such as filling prescriptions early and from outside prescribers will also be presented. Non-narcotics that are now frequently being used will additionally be reviewed. Statistics regarding filled rates versus prescribed rates for opioids will be presented as well.
Presenter: Jessica Holton, MSW, LCSW, LCAS; and Alex Wilson, CPPS
Description: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and the effects of toxic stress are often overlooked and misdiagnosed. Unfortunately, many individuals who exhibit signs and report symptoms that correlate with Stress- & Trauma-related Disorders are misdiagnosed as Anxiety Disorders, Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Personality Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Depressive Disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and/or Psychotic Disorders. Additionally, it is often assumed that our military veterans who have been diagnosed with PTSD experienced combat-related trauma(s). This plenary session will explain the diagnostic criteria and basic neuroscience of PTSD, describe toxic stress from Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and offer a personal perspective on trauma and recovery.
Presenter: Tom Edwards, Brian Coon, MA, LCAS, CCS, MAC
Description: The Recovery Alliance Initiative has been focused on bringing separate systems together that are involved in recovery support for the purpose of:
Recognizing that no single entity or organization has “the” answer to the complex issues surrounding substance abuse, we also recognize that many organizations, representing many different systems, are doing outstanding work within those systems. Coming together affords us the opportunity to identify ways these systems can better work together, identify gaps and arrive at solutions. Awareness and collaboration has also helped identify initiatives and projects that remaining siloed would not naturally reveal. Systems represented have included: Collegiate Recovery Programs, Drug/Recovery Courts, Professional Monitoring Organizations, Law Enforcement, Prevention, Research, Spiritual Care/Clergy, Recovery Community, Primary Healthcare, and Recovery Schools.
(Sponsored by: Pavillon)
Presenter: Sarah Potter, MPA
Description: It is commonly understood that in order to best achieve individual and community wellness the full Continuum of Care spectrum should be addressed; however, how to best ensure fluidity between the spectrum components is not always clear. This session will highlight how prevention and recovery approaches intersect and how they can support each other resulting in a more holistic approach to the continuum. Commonalities between prevention and recovery, such as risk/protective factors and recovery capital and asset building, will be discussed. After this session, participants will have a better understanding of how the utilization of evidence-based practices, supported data, and advocacy for positive policy can result in solid individual prevention, sustained recovery, and stronger communities.