An Upstream Intervention to Address the Heroin and Prescription Opioid Epidemic
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Description
Overdose deaths from heroin and prescription opioids have reached epidemic proportions in recent years. The main strategies for addressing this public health problem include training and education on prescribing practices, increasing the use of naloxone, and expanding the availability and use of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT). Upstream prevention and intervention mechanisms are not being discussed along with these strategies. This webinar describes the steps that are currently being taken to address the epidemic and how Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) with adolescents may serve as an upstream intervention. The webinar also emphasizes how describing SBIRT in this way may serve to raise its profile and attract funding for research, implementation, and evaluation.
Presenter
Brett Harris, DrPH, is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University at Albany School of Public Health and Suicide Prevention Program Manager at the New York State Office of Mental Health. Dr. Harris has over six years of SBIRT research, program development, implementation, and evaluation experience with New York State and national organizations. She has co-led the IRETA SBIRT for Youth Learning Community since its inception January 2015.