Oral

This session examines policy level interventions and impacts. In many countries, drug users are unwilling or afraid to access medical services for several reasons, from a lack of treatment options to fear of arrest. These fears largely stem from drug policies which emphasize a law enforcement approach, rather than seeking to offer treatment. Health care providers remain largely uninvolved in promoting meaningful integration of substance abuse treatment into general health care. Prospects for integration represent a structural challenge for state health authorities, given the historically separate development of substance abuse treatment from health care institutions. In addition, almost nothing is known about the economic costs of substance abuse at the state level. To allocate resources effectively for prevention and treatment, states must have information about the costs of substance abuse. This was studied in Washington State. Project Lazarus was one strategic action plan targeting risk factors for opioid abuse through local community coalitions.

Session Objectives: Identify innovative models/approaches to integrate services for people with problem substance use. Analyze policy solutions that support treatment of a drug abuser. Define policy obstacles to evidence-based drug dependence.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH) , Masters Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES)