Demystifying Substance Use

August 6th and 7th, 2024 
9am - 4pm

Pulaski Innovation Center, New River Room
6580 Valley Center Drive, Fairlawn Va, 24141

The New River Valley Recovery Ecosystem is excited to host “Demystifying Substance Use” - a regional training session centered on opioid addiction and poly-substance use disorders through a trauma-informed lens. This one-day event (9am - 4pm) offers two training day options. The first day targets law enforcement, first responders, and justice involved individuals, while the second day caters to healthcare professionals, as well as elected officials, clergy, and business leaders interested in attending. 

Breakdown of curriculum: 

  • Drug policy and the overdose crisis

  • Communicable diseases

  • Substance use and substance use disorders

  • Trauma and adverse childhood experiences

  • Drug use, substance use disorder, and recovery stigma

  • Recovery

  • Harm reduction philosophy

  • Harm reduction strategies and practices

  • Legislation, policy, and advocacy

Agenda:

  • 8am - 8:30am: Breakfast + Networking

  • 8:30am - 9am: Opening Remarks

  • 9am -10:15am: Lecture

  • 10:15am - 10:30am: Break

  • 10:30am - 12pm: Lecture

  • 12pm -1pm: Lunch

  • 1pm - 2pm: Harm Reduction

  • 2pm - 2:15pm: Break

  • 2:15pm - 3:15pm: Panel - Lived/Living Experience Participants

  • 3:15pm - 3:45pm: Q+A/Discussion

  • 3:45pm - 4pm: Closing Remarks

Trainers:

  • Sean Fogler, MD, EMBA —Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Elevyst

  • Jessica Hessler, MPH, MSW, CHES® —Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder, Elevyst

  • Ginny Atwood Lovitt, BA —Director of Advocacy and Development, Chris Atwood Foundation

  • Thomas Maioli, Jr., MA —Public Health and Safety Consultant, Elevyst

  • Chris Alderman, AS —District Outreach and Harm Reduction Coordinator, New River Health District

Reach out to Kweaver@nrvrc.org for more information.