Products and Resources Catalog

The latest edition of our bi-monthly newsletter is available. This month’s edition features a PTTC network event "Climate Change from a Prevention Perspective", Exploring Root Causes of Substance Misuse through Stories, Alcohol Awareness Month and awareness campaigns for April, and regionally and nationally developed events and tools to support and grow the prevention workforce in New England. View the newsletter.

COURSE DESCRIPTION This presentation reviews the history of US street drug markets since the early 1990s to explain the emergence of xylazine, fentanyl, and crystal methamphetamine in regional markets formerly dominated by heroin and cocaine. It will examine the relationship between each of these newly prevalent synthetic substances and describe what we know so far about their impact on related comorbidities. Finally, it will assess how the public health impact of recent transformations to the US narcotics supply relates to the experience of drug consumption and the actual way that people use drugs in their everyday lives. It will conclude with lessons learned to help determine what prevention strategies could be used to counteract the impact on communities. Select the View Resource button above to watch the recording and link to the PowerPoint below. PowerPoint PRESENTER Dr. Fernando Montero’s research draws together the methods of medical and economic anthropology to examine the racialized, gendered interface between the opioid overdose epidemic, mass incarceration, ongoing transformations in narcotics supply chains, and public assistance programs for psychiatric disability in the United States. His mixed-methods research studies the changes in the risk environment for HIV, HCV, mental health conditions, and fatal overdose among street-based drug users brought about by the emergence of synthetic sedatives (e.g. fentanyl and xylazine) and stimulants (e.g. methamphetamine) in the 2010s-2020s, and by the concomitant resurgence of punitive drug control targeting petty dealers throughout the US. One of the central questions of his current research is why the opioid overdose epidemic is becoming increasingly black following almost three decades in which it was predominantly white and working class. He is also conducting a long-term ethnographic study of the War on Drugs in the Afro-Indigenous region of Moskitia on the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua and Honduras.      

The Ongoing Opioid Epidemic (August 2023) Part 2: Lessons Learned and Looking Ahead Josh Esrick, MPP, and Emily Patton, MSc, PgDip August 10, 2023, 1:00pm-2:30pm EST COURSE DESCRIPTION This webinar will discuss evidence-based prevention interventions for addressing opioid use and review lessons learned from years of research on the epidemic. It will summarize use and overdose prevention best practices, including the role of harm reduction efforts beyond naloxone distribution. The webinar will also discuss strategies for polysubstance use prevention and the need for further studies. Additionally, it will overview the importance of collaboration and the ways key stakeholders can support opioid prevention efforts. Lastly, the webinar will provide a small group discussion peer learning opportunity for participants. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Assess evidence-based and promising practices for preventing opioid use and overdoses. Describe opportunities for improving polysubstance use prevention. Compare strategies for expanding opioid prevention collaborative activities. Identify other lessons learned from the opioid epidemic. PRESENTERS Josh Esrick, MPP is the Chief of Training and Technical Assistance at Carnevale Associates, LLC. Mr. Esrick has over ten years of experience researching, writing, evaluating, and presenting on substance use prevention and other behavioral health topics. He is an expert in providing training and technical assistance (TTA) in substance use, having overseen the development of hundreds of TTA products for numerous clients, including six of SAMHSA’s ten regional Prevention Technology Transfer Centers (PTTCs), the PTTC Network Coordinating Office, the Central East Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) and Mental Health Technology Transfer Centers (MHTTC), and SAMHSA’s Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies (CAPT). These trainings and products have covered a wide range of topics, including strategic planning, data collection and analysis, and identifying evidence-based prevention interventions for youth. In addition to TTA, Mr. Esrick has directly provided many of these services to behavioral health agencies and other entities. He has published several academic journal articles. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a Master of Public Policy from George Washington University.     Emily Patton, MSc, PgDip holds a Masters of Science in Abnormal and Clinical Psychology from Swansea University and a Postgraduate Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Edinburgh. She offers significant professional experience in the fields of public policy development and analysis, criminal justice research, data collection and analysis, program development, and performance management.  

The Ongoing Opioid Epidemic (August 2023) Part 1: The Current Landscape of Opioid Use and Consequences Josh Esrick, MPP, and Emily Patton, MSc, PgDip August 8, 2023, 1:00pm-2:30pm EST COURSE DESCRIPTION This webinar will provide a broad overview of current opioid use and related trends in SAMHSA Region 3 and nationwide. It will review changes in use and consequences, and ongoing shifts in substance preferences— particularly the expanded use of fentanyl. Data on xylazine use are limited, but available information will also be shared. The webinar will also discuss the increasing frequency of polysubstance use involving opioids. It will review the different types of substances used—intentionally or unintentionally— with opioids, including xylazine, stimulants, and cannabis, and the extent to which this use occurs. Lastly, the webinar will review the latest research on the social determinants of health and other risk and protective factors impacting the opioid epidemic. LEARNING OBJECTIVES - Describe the latest opioid use and trend data.   - Identify the scope of opioid overdoses and the most impacted populations.   - Evaluate the latest information on polysubstance use and types of substances being used together.   - Assess the research on opioid-related risk and protective factors. PRESENTERS Josh Esrick, MPP is the Chief of Training and Technical Assistance at Carnevale Associates, LLC. Mr. Esrick has over ten years of experience researching, writing, evaluating, and presenting on substance use prevention and other behavioral health topics. He is an expert in providing training and technical assistance (TTA) in substance use, having overseen the development of hundreds of TTA products for numerous clients, including six of SAMHSA’s ten regional Prevention Technology Transfer Centers (PTTCs), the PTTC Network Coordinating Office, the Central East Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) and Mental Health Technology Transfer Centers (MHTTC), and SAMHSA’s Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies (CAPT). These trainings and products have covered a wide range of topics, including strategic planning, data collection and analysis, and identifying evidence-based prevention interventions for youth. In addition to TTA, Mr. Esrick has directly provided many of these services to behavioral health agencies and other entities. He has published several academic journal articles. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a Master of Public Policy from George Washington University.     Emily Patton, MSc, PgDip holds a Masters of Science in Abnormal and Clinical Psychology from Swansea University and a Postgraduate Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Edinburgh. She offers significant professional experience in the fields of public policy development and analysis, criminal justice research, data collection and analysis, program development, and performance management.  

Xylazine: Understanding the Latest Emerging Substance July 25, 2023, 1:00pm-3:00pm EST COURSE DESCRIPTION Xylazine (or “tranq”) is a non-opioid sedative and tranquilizer only approved for use in veterinary medicine. However, over the past several years, human consumption of xylazine has begun rapidly increasing. Although initially only identified in illicit drug supplies in limited areas, xylazine has been found in 48 states as of April 2023. Xylazine is frequently, though not exclusively, used in conjunction with opioids, particularly fentanyl—due to xylazine’s ability to prolong their effects. Xylazine use presents many potential dangers to people, including increased risk of overdose and the development of necrotizing tissue damage. This webinar will bring together experts from across disciplines to discuss the history of xylazine use, what is known about its current scope of use and consequences, the effects of xylazine on people, and wound care and other harm reduction strategies. It will also offer an opportunity for participants to ask questions in a roundtable panel discussion format. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Describe Xylazine and its history of use and consequences. Explain how harm reduction strategies need to be adapted for complications in Xylazine use. Describe the current trends that detail the scope and the extent of the Xylazine issue. PRESENTERS Jason Bienert, RN, CWCN Josh Esrick, MPP   DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY (DEA) GUEST:  Gail Poirier Section Chief, Strategic Intelligence Section (NIT) Jaclyn Iera Program Manager, Office of Forensic Sciences   SAMHSA:        Jeanne Tuono Assistant Regional Director (Region 3)      

 

Stimulants and Polysubstance Use Part 1: What the Data Shows Josh Esrick, MPP, and Emily Patton, MSc, PgDip March 28, 2023, 1:00pm-2:30pm EST COURSE DESCRIPTION This webinar will provide an overview of the current scope of stimulant and related polysubstance use in the United States and the states of the Central East region. It will include a review of use and overdose rates, as well as data on availability and accessibility of substances. The webinar will also discuss the differences between the current and prior waves of stimulant use. Finally, it will discuss what is known about the factors driving the current wave of use and data sources prevention professionals can use to obtain additional data. LEARNING OBJECTIVES Explain trends in stimulant and polysubstance use and consequences Describe similarities and differences between current and past stimulant use Identify the risk and protective factors for stimulant and polysubstance use Name relevant data sources to learn more about stimulant and polysubstance use PRESENTERS Josh Esrick, MPP is a Senior Policy Analyst with Carnevale Associates. Josh has extensive experience in substance use prevention; researching, writing, and presenting on best practice and knowledge development publications, briefs, and reference guides; and developing and providing T/TA to numerous organizations. He developed numerous SAMHSA Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies’ (CAPT) products on strategies to prevent opioid misuse and overdose, risk and protective factors for substance use, youth substance use prevention strategies, youth substance use trends, emerging substance use trends, the potential regulations surrounding marijuana legalization, as well as numerous other topics. Emily Patton, MSc, PgDip holds a Masters of Science in Abnormal and Clinical Psychology from Swansea University and a Postgraduate Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Edinburgh. She offers significant professional experience in the fields of public policy development and analysis, criminal justice research, data collection and analysis, program development, and performance management.  

Learn more about Prevention in Action exploring Drug Take Back Day events and related efforts to reduce the illicit use of prescription medications across New England. This webinar includes a spotlight on what coalitions around the region are doing to support drug take-back as well as a presentation from the DEA on their new and ongoing initiatives.   Link to view the recorded webinar (recorded on October 27, 2022). No continuing education is available.   

In this Issue:   Preventing Overdose: Challenges and Promising Approaches International Overdose Awareness Day, August 31 Overdose Prevention Resources   Texas Prevention - A New Name and A New Focus   What's Happening Around the Region?   Register: Ditching the Discomfort with Data Series, Part 4, Analyzing Data Products: Building a Youth Prevention System, A 3-part Webinar Series Register: Southern Plains Tribal Health Board Training Summit, August 23-25  National Latino and Behavioral Health PTTC events Register: National Latino Behavioral Health Conference, September 15-16 Register: Accelerating Training in Behavioral Health Equity: A Learning Series for Trainees

The latest edition of our bi-monthly newsletter is available. This month’s edition features our re-formatted vaping prevention courses into a microlearning toolkit, upcoming national public education campaigns, the summer internship application deadline is May 1st, the PTTC Network's NEW Map: Compilation of Prevention Specialist Certification Requirements, SAMHSA Marijuana infographic, and regionally and nationally developed events and tools to support and grow the prevention workforce in New England. View the newsletter.

In this Issue:   Celebrate Love. Celebrate Joy.   Epi Corner: The Evolving Opioid Epidemic: Fentanyl, Fentanyl Analogues, and Other Drugs   What LGBTQIA2S+ BIPOC Want Prevention Professionals to Know, A Four-Part Learning Series   What's Happening Around the Region?  PTTC Spotlights A New Product From the PTTC Healtheknowledge Online Course

  The Great Lakes PTTC offers this training for prevention practitioners in HHS Region 5: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, and WI. This training is offered in response to a need identified by Region 5 stakeholders.   Fentanyl Test strips have been proven as an effective harm reduction strategy in studies from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health and the National Center for Biotechnology Information. The Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board of Cuyahoga County, Ohio has been supporting fentanyl test strips as a harm reduction tool since 2018 and began grassroots distribution in 2019. Using data from both fatal and non-fatal ODs, the ADAMHS Board was able to get this harm reduction tool to the communities where it was needed most.   LEARNING OBJECTIVES Background on fentanyl test strips as a harm reduction tool Using data to inform harm reduction outreach efforts The power of community partnerships to reach individuals where they are     Panel Members Beth Zietlow-DeJesus, MA Director of External Affairs Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board of Cuyahoga County              Madison Greenspan, MNAL External Affairs Officer Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board of Cuyahoga County                  Rebekah Wiland, MSW, LISW-S Associate Director of Housing FrontLine Service                   Waverly Willis Founder The Urban Barber Association (TUBA)    

  Pain and Pot: The Facts about Opioids and Marijuana   Webinar Date: March 10, 2021   Webinar Description and Objectives The opioid epidemic continues to ravage communities across the Pacific Southwest region. Many communities are receiving misleading and confusing information about prevention strategies to address it, such as using marijuana for pain management instead of prescription opioids. This webinar will discuss the opioid epidemic and the controversies surrounding the substitution of marijuana for pain management and whether or not it is helpful or harmful in this epidemic. The science and most recent data will be presented along with real, front-line stories from the emergency department.  By the end of the webinar, participants will be able to: 1. Explain the latest trends in the opioid epidemic 2. Describe the basic chemistry of opioids and marijuana 3. Identify five key reasons why marijuana should not be used to treat pain   Presenter Roneet Lev, MD, FACEP was the first Chief Medical Officer of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, ONDCP. She brought refreshing frontline medical experience to national health policy. She is a nationally acclaimed medical expert and speaker who continues to treat patients in the emergency department. As a mother of four, she relates to families who struggle. Dr. Lev uses data to drive change and is frequently quoted in print and television media. Dr. Lev is dually board certified in emergency and addiction medicine, bringing over 25 years of experience treating the frontline cases of addiction. She came to the White House as chief of the emergency department at Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego.          Webinar Recording View Webinar   Webinar Slides Webinar Slides   Other Resources High Truths Podcast hosted by Dr. Roneet Lev San Diego Prescription Drug Task Force Fentanyl Testing Toolkit