EVENT DESCRIPTION: 

This webinar will focus on evidence-based overdose prevention strategies including naloxone distribution and syringe service programs. Speakers will provide background information on these harm reduction interventions as well as current challenges the strategies face.

PRESENTERS:

• Gina Dahlem, PhD is a family nurse practitioner whose clinical focus has been delivering primary care services for complex care populations particularly for people experiencing homelessness. Her research focuses on developing and implementing innovative models of care through community-engaged research to reduce the burden associated with drug overdoses. She is also the co-inventor of Rapid Assessment for Adolescent Preventive Services which is being used worldwide as a screening tool. Dr. Dahlem has led opioid overdose prevention trainings throughout Michigan and nationally for first responders, community laypeople, healthcare providers, and emergency departments. Dr. Dahlem also serves as the Institute’s Community Engagement Domain co-director.
• Steve Alsum, BS has been with the Grand Rapids Red Project since 2007, and currently serves in the role of Executive Director. The Grand Rapids Red Project is rooted in harm reduction and provides a variety of services in West Michigan, including syringe access, overdose education and naloxone distribution, drug checking, facilitation of the Michigan User Union, mobile health units, access to medications for opioid use disorder, recovery coaching, HIV and hepatitis C testing and linkage to care, HIV case management, and technical assistance. Steve believes it is a basic human right to have access to the knowledge, tools, information and support needed to maintain health and life, and tries to make these things attainable through his work at The Red Project, specifically as applied to substance use and other stigmatized health issues, like HIV, hepatitis C and overdose. Steve believes the intersection between drug policy and public health is critical to understanding harm that happens in our communities surrounding substance use, and that policy change is essential to community members being able to preserve their health and life. Steve has a BS in Mathematics from Grand Valley State University.