EVENT DESCRIPTION: Many people have negative reactions when they hear "methadone" or "needle exchange," but these are two of several science-backed ways to improve health and prevent deaths among people who use drugs. This presentation provides a broad overview of two kinds of interventions that science shows can help people who use drugs: medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), sch as methadone, and harm reduction, which includes services like needle and syringe programs. We will explain how these interventions work, show evidence of their effectiveness, and address common misconceptions about them.

PRESENTERS:

• Erin Fanning Madden, PhD, MPH, is a faculty member in the Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences at Wayne State University School of Medicine. Her research explores social factors affecting healthcare for people who use drugs and she has received over $2 million in grants as a lead investigator from the National Institutes of Health for her research. She has published studies on primary care programs for people with co-occurring mental and substance use disorders, opioid and naloxone prescribing trends, and attitudes towards medications for opioid use disorders. Dr. Madden received her doctorate in medical sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her master of public health degree from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine.

• Mindy Vincent, LCSW, MPA, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in mental health and addiction treatment and is the founder and Executive Director of the Utah Harm Reduction Coalition. She started the first legal syringe exchange in the state of Utah, and has done extensive work in harm reduction, drug policy, opioid overdose prevention, awareness and treatment and continues to work to educate the community, stakeholders and policymakers about therapeutic substance use and harm reduction. Ms. Vincent is certified in psychedelic assisted therapy as well as several other cognitive behavioral and trauma therapies. She is also the host of the podcast "Therapeutic Madness" and owns a private practice, Life Changes Counseling, in Heber City, Utah. She received her bachelor’s degree from Utah Valley University and earned her Masters of Social Work and her Masters of Public Administration from the University of Utah.