Louisiana Opioid Action Summit

9/4/2019 - 9/6/2019
12:00 PM - 12:00 PM
Location: Harbor Center, 100 Harbor Center Blvd, Slidell, Slidell

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) to host statewide Opioid Action Summit to address opioid epidemic and direct strategies to implement harm reduction

SLIDELL, LA – LDH Office of Behavioral Health welcomes personnel working to combat the opioid crisis to the Louisiana Opioid Action Summit in Slidell, La. on Sept. 4-6, 2019 at the Harbor Center. The goal of the summit is to offer the opportunity for organizations and representatives to work collaboratively and share real solutions in prevention, treatment, and recovery that will empower communities to reduce opioid abuse and overdoses.                         

Between 2013 and 2017, Louisiana experienced a 36% increase in drug-related deaths, more than twice the national increase. The number of overdose deaths from opioids have more than doubled between 2012 and 2017, with more than half just in Orleans, Jefferson, St. Tammany, and East Baton Rouge parishes. Numbers continue to climb and in 2018, Louisiana is projected to have the highest number of opioid-related deaths on record.                                                                               

The Louisiana Department of Health hopes to lead current efforts in harm reduction strategies that will reduce overdose deaths, HIV and viral hepatitis infections, and drug use. LDH is also working to connect individuals to care, reduce crime, and reduce injury to law enforcement and first responders.                                                                                                                                          

Summit topics will include:                                                                                                              

  • Understanding the Social Determinants of Addiction
  • Successful Interventions with First Responders and Law Enforcement
  • Helping Employers Confront the Opioid Epidemic
  • Addressing Shame and Stigma in Addiction
  • Challenges of the Opioid Epidemic Within Specific Populations
  • Building Community Coalitions to Address the Opioid Crisis
  • Utilization of Peers in Recovery and Treatment Engagement
  • SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment
  • Approaches to Treatment and Recovery
  • Addressing the Needs of High School and College Students
  • Changing Maternal and Infant Health Outcomes in the Opioid Crisis
  • Integrating the Community Provider to Address the Opioid Epidemic
  • Pain Management Alternatives

On Friday, Sept. 6, the public is encouraged to attend a Harm Reduction Town Hall at 10 a.m. for an open discussion about combating the opioid epidemic and eliminating hepatitis C. This Town Hall is an important step for communities to take charge of this health crisis.                          

 The workshop is approved for 6.0 CE  clock hours.  It was not reviewed for NBCC credits.

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