Hartford Business Journal’s Post

The recent report on Keith Williams’ death at HMP Dovegate sheds light on a critical issue: the persistent separation of mental health and substance use care. Although he displayed severe mental health symptoms, prison healthcare staff placed excessive focus on his physical health and apparent substance use, missing crucial opportunities for psychiatric support. We need an integrated approach that sees the person beyond substance use assumptions. Keith’s death must serve as a stark reminder that without such holistic care, vulnerable people will continue to fall through the cracks. It’s time to bridge these gaps. #MentalHealth #SubstanceUse #IntegratedCare #PrisonReform #Healthcare https://lnkd.in/eTCRW5yr

📢 Calling all outreach programs: Known as the Mobile Mitigation Van (MM Model), this van's design was inspired by organizations working to mitigate risks of public substance use. With private desk pods that allow medical staff to supervise substance use and provide medical care when needed, the Mobile Mitigation van is: ✔️a supervised consumption site to reduce public substance use ✔️a tool to enable addictions counseling for a road to recovery ✔️a way to provide sterile injection equipment to prevent infections ✔️a private space for vulnerable individuals Learn how the MM Model could help save lives ➡️ https://hubs.ly/Q02my3Rx0 #overdoseprevention #mobilehealth #harmreduction #savelives

This is interesting but not entirely unexpected - now, can they start to pin the language down? Is a vaping device best described as an e-cigarette? Is vaping e-smoking? Is there any secondary passive risk with vape devices? Should smoking laws cover vaping behaviours? What might a successful switch from smoking to vaping look like and what is the extent of the harm reduction by doing so? https://lnkd.in/eiF2uxye

Why Prevent The Abuse of Drugs? The Purpose for preventing drug abuse is important for the purpose of safeguarding public health, particularly among adolescents. Preventive measures are set in place to help individuals avoid the harmful consequences of drug and alcohol use, which include physical health problems, mental health issues, and social instability. This is why early education, and community support are key strategies in curbing the onset of drug abuse. The sociological aspect is that the society can reduce the burden on healthcare systems and lower crime rates associated with drug-related activities. Prevention efforts are more important for young people, who are at higher risk due to peer pressure, stress, and experimentation. Therefore, commiting to substance abuse prevention is a proactive step toward a healthy and drug-free society. #theichadproject #SayNOtoDrugs

Statement from Anne Marie Ward re Scottish Parliament Committee Meeting re Tackling drug deaths and drug harm: "So far - the first half of this meeting looks like this - This morning’s debate and discussion seems like it primarily about the drug consumption room over the proposed pilot drug-checking rooms, led by government figures like Neil Gray and Clare Haughey, felt like a recycling of familiar rhetoric. While the idea of drug-checking rooms is promoted as a way to offer users a "better idea of what they are purchasing," the repetitive emphasis on harm reduction over proactive recovery and rehabilitation options leaves much to be desired. Haughey’s ongoing call for "more drug-checking facilities" throughout this meeting reflects a government position that increasingly equates addiction management with health, distancing itself from justice perspectives that might emphasise accountability and pathways out of addiction. The dialogue is also shifting to focus on stigma—a word repeatedly invoked by Neil Gray. This focus on stigma reduction, while undoubtedly essential in supporting recovery, appears in this context as more of a rhetorical exercise than a grounded solution, as Gray touts it as one of the “biggest strides” under the national mission. Throughout, the emphasis remains heavily on maintaining addiction as a community health issue, with scant attention to tangible recovery pathways like residential rehabilitation, which has so far received a fleeting mention. There's an underlying insistence on integrating those with "lived experience" and investing in structures like the National Collaborative and Change Team to tackle stigma, but practical steps are scarce . The discussion shifted to the role of the media in shaping stereotypes and influencing public attitudes towards addiction. There’s a call for careful language use, as Gray notes, to prevent reinforcing barriers to accessing treatment. Yet, the substance of these conversations often feels like to me a word salad on steroids, as critics have noted, offering much rhetoric with little new action. In summary, so far this morning’s discourse illustrates a government stance deeply embedded in harm reduction strategies and stigma discourse. What remains missing is a balanced approach that truly prioritises recovery and addresses the complexities of addiction as both a health and social issue." #RightToRecovery #ScotlandsDrugDeaths #stopthedeaths #scotland https://lnkd.in/eXJZez-3

Join the British Columbia Centre on Substance Use for the next BC ECHO on Substance Use session, “Considerations for Treating Youth Who Use Substances.” Learn to discuss the clinical differences between adults, young adults, and adolescents who are using substances, describe approaches to screening, diagnosing, and treating substance use disorders in youth, describe barriers and opportunities specific to engaging youth in clinical care, and apply key recommendations from youth voices on treatment. To learn more and register, visit https://lnkd.in/g2Jrpj2v #research #healthcare #healthresearch #addictionmedicine #substanceusedisorder #seminar

October is Substance Use Prevention Month! Join the conversation at #SubstanceUsePreventionMonth. Take 5 minutes to read this insightful blog: https://lnkd.in/gW8tdjea Let's learn together about preventing substance use in our communities!

The long awaited Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity (MHPAEA) Final Rule was posted on the EBSA website this morning. https://lnkd.in/eaNBKkNk. The Tri-departments made a number of significant changes from their Proposed Rule but this Final Rule will still require managed care organizations, issuers, and employers to make significant changes to their MHPAEA compliance programs and documentation going forward. Note that CMS also concurrently released new materials for Medicaid MHPAEA compliance reporting for public comment (https://lnkd.in/eBtpB55H). Together, these will keep MHPAEA at the forefront of commercial and Medicaid managed care for at least the next few years.

NCOei's 🚔DWI/DUI/OMVWI General Studies Course: A Path to Safer Roads! Are you or someone you know facing a DWI, DUI, or OMVWI charge? NCOei offers a comprehensive General Studies course that covers the essentials of substance abuse, addiction, relapse prevention, and the legal consequences of impaired driving1. This course is not only accepted in Harris County Criminal Courts, but also recognized by many courts across the nation1 . What's Included? The course provides in-depth knowledge on: Substance Abuse and Addiction: Understanding the root causes and effects of substance abuse. Relapse Prevention: Strategies to avoid falling back into old habits. Legal Implications: Detailed information on DWI, DUI, and OMVWI laws. Victim Impact Panels (VIP): Hear firsthand accounts from victims and their families about the real-life consequences of impaired driving1 . Why Choose This Course? Accepted Nationwide: Whether you're in Harris County or elsewhere, this course is widely accepted by courts1 . Comprehensive Content: Covers a wide range of topics to ensure a thorough understanding of the issues. Convenient Online Access: Learn at your own pace from the comfort of your home. Enroll Today Take the first step towards safer driving and a brighter future. Enroll in NCOei's DWI/DUI/OMVWI General Studies course today and gain the knowledge and skills needed to make responsible choices on the road. For more information and to enroll, visit NCOei's course page. 1. https://lnkd.in/gqMQu26y