Opioid Epidemic and Policy: Where have we been and where are we now? (On-demand webinar)

Note: This is a recording of a webinar held on September 23, 2019.

Training Overview

The current opioid epidemic exists in the context of unique drivers and circumstances including pharmaceutical marketing, business decisions of illicit drug distributors, stigma, inadequate medical and behavioral health systems, social determinants of health, among other factors. Response to this public health crisis has mobilized release of new guidance materials, legislation, funding, and policy change to address prevention, treatment, and recovery. Response to opioid use as a public health concern, however, is not new. This presentation will provide a brief overview of the history of opioid crisis and response, and the policy and programmatic response to the current crisis, including how the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act) is guiding current federal response.  A systems mapping framework will be used to describe how specific policy actions fit into the overall response effort, and the populations affected. 

The course contains two modules: a content module and a resources and evaluation module. After accessing both modules, learners will earn a certificate of completion. When the certificate is available, learners will see a Certificate button on their dashboard.

This recording is approximately 90 minutes. There are no prerequisites. Participants will need a broadband internet connection (Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred browsers) and computer speakers. For technical support, please contact emoryphtc@emory.edu.

About the Trainer

Brigitte Manteuffel, PhD, a senior fellow at Mathematica, has more than 30 years of experience in research, evaluation, and behavioral health. She is a national expert in the evaluation of behavioral health systems of care and has special expertise in the opioid epidemic and youth substance use disorders. Her work focuses on Mathematica’s state and federal behavioral health portfolio with a special interest in improving the infrastructure to address substance use problems, particularly the opioid epidemic. Prior to joining Mathematica in 2019, she has led studies on state opioid response needs, best practices for integrating mental health and substance use services in Ireland, evidence-based guidelines for juvenile drug courts, and implementing an evidence-based intervention to reduce fetal alcohol exposure in sexually transmitted disease clinics; and worked closely with Georgia’s Department of Public Health to develop and launch Georgia’s opioid strategic plan. 

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number UB6HP31680, Public Health Training Centers for $4,348,992. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.