WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7

How we think about equity as a state of mind and ongoing practice can drive our ability to center equity in harm reduction efforts. Participants in this session will reflect on where equity is and is not centered in their programming and partnerships. Through presentation, reflection, and dialogue, participants will identify steps to create a greater focus on equity in a warm, safe, and secure manner to enhance their impact in overdose prevention.

Patients are the ultimate experts when it comes to identifying barriers to care and positive points along the recovery journey. The Patient Journey Map, researched and published by Jessica Hulsey and

Kayla Zawislak, MSW, CADC, at the Addiction Policy Forum lists patient perspectives and experiences over seven phases of recovery and care. Panelists in this session will reflect on their own lived experiences and the roles they have played to help patients along the recover pathway. Audience engagement with the panel will surface a deeper awareness of potential systems changes to address patient-identified obstacles and accelerate spread of positive points of practice.

Young people encounter a wide range of risks as they navigate the pressures and social stimuli associated with increasing independence. In addition to known risks related to ongoing substance use during the teenage years, the rise of fentanyl-laced illicit pharmaceuticals is driving a rise in youth overdose among young people during their first or early encounter with drugs. This panel will focus on sharing experiences from youth in the field and help identify conditions and behaviors that create risk for youth and explore ways to promote life-saving youth engagement in programs and services.

Empower Watsonville is a community of passionate youth who support each other and build each other up. Participants will learn about how Empower Watsonville formed their coalition and how they engage youth leaders. Crystal Gonzalez and Sofia Cuentas will share reflections on Empower Watsonville’s lessons learned about how to be effective as a coalition.

Orisha Bowers and Briana Robsinson of the National Harm Reduction Coalition will share highlights from NHRC’s recent conference. Strategies on how to dismantle stigma and how discuss harm reduction in environments that are not open to it will be explored throughout the session.

Project ECHO is used as an effective telementoring tool to spread knowledge and increase skills of providers working in pain and opioid management to overdose prevention. This session will highlight two Project ECHO programs: Adverse Childhood Experiences ECHO and CDC Opioid Rapid Response Program. Participants will explore how to leverage this training tool to build capacity within their institutions and in the community.

Today’s youth face countless social and environmental conditions that trigger stress and impact risk taking behaviors. This session will help participants recognize the signs and symptoms that lead youth to experience mental health disorders and substance use behaviors. Participants will learn approaches to connect with young people to address these signs and symptoms through destigmatized care and prevention efforts.