AMERSA Talks

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AMERSA Talks

Current Series, Stigma and Substance Use: Rewriting the Narrative.  Eight 30-minute episodes sponsored by PCSS-MOUD and hosted by AMERSA members, featuring subject matter experts across multiple disciplines. 2024 Series, Harm Reduction: Compassionate Care for People who use DrugsEight 30-minute episodes sponsored by PCSS-MOUD and hosted by AMERSA members, featuring subject matter experts across multiple disciplines.

  1. Michelle Durham, Cindi Salinas, and Dr. Deepika Slawek, On the Texas Frontlines: How Substance Use Disorder Stigma Affects HIV Prevalence in the South

    JUN 5

    Michelle Durham, Cindi Salinas, and Dr. Deepika Slawek, On the Texas Frontlines: How Substance Use Disorder Stigma Affects HIV Prevalence in the South

    In San Antonio, HIV is treated with love, not judgment—and it’s working.  We will discuss how stigma: 1) contributes to HIV acquisition, 2) prevents people living with HIV from seeking and remaining in care, and 3) effective, evidence-based strategies for mitigating stigma. We will explore effective ways to reach, support, and treat individuals who use substances, who are at a high risk for acquiring HIV and, once acquired, falling out of care. Learning Objectives Analyze root-causes of HIV stigma;Explain the intersectionality of HIV risks and SUD;Identify evidence-based strategies for treating individuals with SUD who are also PLWH or at-risk.Host & Guest Bios Dr. Deepika Slawek is an HIV primary care and addiction medicine physician and researcher practicing in the Bronx, NY. She attended University of Texas at Austin as an undergraduate and Texas A&M for medical school and then completed her medical training in New York State. She has been working in the field of HIV and addiction for over a decade.Michele Durham is the 31 year CEO of BEAT AIDS, the largest, longest-lasting HIV/AIDS Services Organization in South Texas. She holds a Bachelors of Business Administration degree in accounting from Lamar University and a Master’s degree in psychological education from the University of Texas at San Antonio with an emphasis in guidance and counseling. She has been working in the field of substance use disorder as it intersects with HIV in the South for over 35 years.Cindi Salinas is a substance use disorder counselor in Texas. She is a graduate of Elmhurst College and the Institute of Chemical Dependency Studies. She has been working in the field of substance use disorder as a counselor for eight years and in direct care for four years. She also has unique insight as someone with lived experience.Timestamps: [00:45] The current state of HIV in South Texas[04:59] Historical failings that caused the HIV spike in the South[07:56] How stigma worsens both HIV and substance use[10:15] What Beat AIDS does differently—and why it works[13:59] The importance of trauma-informed care[17:45] Peer support and rapid-start medication explained[22:43] The community-led model that’s saving lives[28:54] Mobile testing and reaching the unreachable[33:41] The changing landscape of HIV and SUD care in the South[41:10] The “kick-in” approach and why it’s saving livesLinks AmersaBeat AidsFind us online at amersa.org, and see our tweets at x.com/AMERSA_tweets. Funding for this initiative was made possible by cooperative agreement no. 1H79TI086770 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Learn more about PCSS-MOUD at pcssnow.org.

    50 min
  2. Jessica Heil, Dr. Rachel Haroz, & Dr. Jeffery Bratberg, Building Meaning: How Emergency Department Bridge Programs Improve Physicians’ Lives Through Purpose

    MAY 22

    Jessica Heil, Dr. Rachel Haroz, & Dr. Jeffery Bratberg, Building Meaning: How Emergency Department Bridge Programs Improve Physicians’ Lives Through Purpose

    Addiction care in the ER isn’t just about patients—it’s about fixing medicine itself. Emergency Department Bridge Programs allow ED physicians to connect patients in the ED with comprehensive addiction care. While the benefits of bridge programs for patients with opioid use disorder are known, what’s less understood is how these programs affect the lives of the providers themselves. For a paper published in Academic Emergency Medicine last year, researchers interviewed providers about these programs and found that patients were not the only benefactors. Learning Objectives ED bridge programs may require extra work, but this study demonstrates they make life for ED providers better.Much attention is paid to hard data and quantitative research, but qualitative studies can be persuasive as well.We all should acknowledge that people need to find meaning in their work and incentivize programs that generate that meaning.Host & Guest Bios Dr. Jeffrey Bratberg studies the essential and emerging roles community pharmacists play regarding opioid overdose response, harm reduction, and opioid use disorder treatment. He advocates for pharmacists’ expanded roles in medication access, public health promotion, and policy change through research, practice, and teaching.Rachel Haroz MD is an emergency medicine, toxicology and addiction medicine physician in Camden, NJ focused on bringing innovative and low barrier access to care to vulnerable populations.Jessica Heil is a public health researcher specializing in addiction studies and health disparities. As Research Manager at Cooper University Health Care, she leads clinical research, supervises staff, and fosters community collaborations. She has extensive experience in opioid use disorder treatment and harm reduction, she is committed to advancing evidence-based healthcare interventions.Timestamps: [00:03] Why Bridge Programs Are About More Than Patients[04:55] The “Aha Moment” That Changed a Career[07:33] The Surprising Source of Provider Satisfaction[10:55] How They Got ER Docs to Open Up[13:42] From Skeptic to Advocate—A Doctor’s Journey[17:59] What Providers Really Feel About This Work[20:33] Why Addiction Is an Emergency[23:45] The Power of 15 Seconds of Empathy[25:51] What’s Next—Methadone and EMS Programs[29:30] The One Story That Could Change Your ProgramLinks AmersaHeil JM, Lassiter JM, Salzman MS, Herring A, Hoppe J, Lynch M, Weiner SG, Roberts B, Haroz R. A qualitative assessment of emergency physicians' experiences with robust emergency department buprenorphine bridge programs. Acad Emerg Med. 2024 Jun;31(6):576-583. doi: 10.1111/acem.14880. Epub 2024 Feb 15. PMID: 38357749. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38357749/Find us online at amersa.org, and see our tweets at x.com/AMERSA_tweets. Funding for this initiative was made possible by cooperative agreement no. 1H79TI086770 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Learn more about PCSS-MOUD at pcssnow.org.

    33 min
  3. Siobhan Morse & Nicole O'Donnell, Using Peers to Combat Stigma

    MAY 8

    Siobhan Morse & Nicole O'Donnell, Using Peers to Combat Stigma

    Turns out, the most powerful tool against addiction stigma might just be someone society once gave up on. Despite significant advancements in addiction treatment, stigma remains one of the greatest barriers to care for individuals struggling with substance use disorder (SUD). Among healthcare professionals, stigma can manifest in ways that impact patient outcomes, access to care, and overall recovery success. This episode will explore how leveraging peers—those with lived experience in recovery—can be a powerful tool in combating stigma in medical settings. We will discuss real-world applications of peer support, the latest statistics on stigma in healthcare, and actionable strategies for fostering a more compassionate approach to SUD treatment. Learning Objectives Review the reality of stigma and its impact on healthcareIdentify the role of peers in recovery and two major healthcare environmentsIdentify strategies for integrating peers into the workforceKey Takeaways Peer support can dramatically reduce stigma in healthcare by humanizing the recovery journey and modeling successful outcomes.Stigma among healthcare providers often stems from bias, not lack of evidence, making peer training and integration critical.Successful integration of peers requires clear role definitions, workflow systems, and true cultural acceptance across healthcare teams.Timestamps [00:36] Why stigma is the biggest barrier to addiction treatment[03:55] Healthcare workers’ surprising views on MAT (medication-assisted treatment)[06:00] The personal cost of stigma: a real-life story[09:05] What is peer support and why it’s powerful[12:35] How peers dramatically increase treatment engagement[15:00] Peers working in emergency rooms: how it changes outcomes[18:45] Peers in primary care: building trust and continuity[22:15] Key steps to integrating peers into healthcare teams[26:40] Supervision and mentorship strategies for peer specialists[30:59] Lessons learned: how to really defeat stigma in healthcareLinks AMERSASubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); Office of the Surgeon General (US). Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General's Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health [Internet]. Washington (DC): US Department of Health and Human Services; 2016 Nov. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK424857/ Find us online at amersa.org, and see our tweets at x.com/AMERSA_tweets. Funding for this initiative was made possible by cooperative agreement no. 1H79TI086770 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Learn more about PCSS-MOUD at pcssnow.org.

    36 min
  4. Dr. Devin Oller, Kayla Strother, and Kate Roberts, Overcoming Substance Use Disorder Stigma in Appalachia

    APR 24

    Dr. Devin Oller, Kayla Strother, and Kate Roberts, Overcoming Substance Use Disorder Stigma in Appalachia

    We’ve been blaming Appalachia for a healthcare crisis it didn’t create.  Addiction in Appalachia isn’t what you think. This episode unpacks the nuanced reality of substance use disorder in a region that’s been stereotyped, ignored, and misunderstood for too long. Through powerful stories and clear strategies, it reveals how healthcare professionals, community leaders, and people with lived experience are fighting against systemic stigma and rebuilding trust. Dr. Devin Oller, a primary care and addiction medicine physician at the University of Kentucky, and Kayla Strother, a certified advanced practice nurse specializing in adult geriatric primary care, join Kate Roberts to lay out the layered social, political, and economic drivers of treatment resistance in Appalachia. From language shifts and provider education to jail protocols and peer-led movements, this episode is a roadmap for changing care where it matters most. Learning Objectives Review a framework for exploring Appalachian patients’ beliefs and knowledge about SUDExamine patients’ experience within the larger narrative about SUD in Appalachian communitiesIdentify ways to address internalized stigma in healthcare settings and the communityKey Takeaways Stigma in Appalachia isn’t just social—it’s systemic, and it directly blocks access to treatment through regulation, perception, and fear.Positive portrayals and community-first approaches, like peer support and harm reduction, are transforming how addiction is treated.Federal policy shifts are not enough without local engagement and context-aware delivery of care.Timestamps: [02:59] History and media’s role in shaping Appalachian stigma [07:00] The SNL skit that encapsulates a harmful stereotype [10:55] What "Demon Copperhead" gets right about addiction [14:58] The real transportation problem in rural Kentucky [17:59] State regulations vs. patient needs [23:55] Misconceptions around "treating one drug for another" [27:00] Role of harm reduction and community orgs [31:00] Inside the Healing Communities Study [34:00] The impact of lived experience campaigns [42:55] Language changes that can change everything Links AMERSADemon Copperhead, by Barbara Kingsolverhttps://bookshop.org/p/books/demon-copperhead-barbara-kingsolver/18506689?ean=9780063251984Ramp Hollow, by Steven Stollhttps://bookshop.org/p/books/ramp-hollow-the-ordeal-of-appalachia-steven-stoll/8907054State alignment with federal regulations in 2022 to relax buprenorphine 30-patient waiver requirements, Anita Silwal, et. Al.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10206439/Medication Treatment For Opioid Use Disorders In Substance Use Treatment Facilities, Ramin Mojtabai, et. Al.https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/pdf/10.1377/hlthaff.2018.05162Film: Harlan County, USA (1976)Find us online at amersa.org, and see our tweets at x.com/AMERSA_tweets. Funding for this initiative was made possible by cooperative agreement no. 1H79TI086770 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Learn more about PCSS-MOUD at pcssnow.org.

    50 min
  5. Dr. Joe Wright & Allyson Pinkhover, Learning from Hamsterdams: How Zoning, Real Estate, and Public Policy Create Drug Containment Zones

    APR 10

    Dr. Joe Wright & Allyson Pinkhover, Learning from Hamsterdams: How Zoning, Real Estate, and Public Policy Create Drug Containment Zones

    We don’t have a drug crisis—we have a policy crisis.  In episode one, Allyson Pinkhover, MPH, CPhT, CHO and Dr. Joe Wright explore some of the ways that urban planning, zoning, policing, and the location of addiction services combine to create or enforce a geography of containment. In Boston, Wright argues, land prices and the politics of what another scholar describes as “complaint-oriented policing” led to a smaller and smaller area in which visible drug use and homelessness were tolerated, and services for people with substance use disorders were located. This kind of geography, variations of which can be seen in many cities and towns, can create both problems and opportunities for patients as well as complex challenges for substance use care and public health. Key Takeaways Urban planning and zoning laws play a massive but overlooked role in shaping substance use patterns in cities.The concept of ‘Hamsterdams’ reveals how some cities create designated spaces for drug use without public acknowledgment.Effective policy solutions require looking beyond criminalization and understanding the root causes of addiction and containment.Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction – Setting the stage for the discussion on zoning, real estate, and drug containment zones [02:15] What are ‘Hamsterdams’? – Explaining the concept of drug containment zones [06:40] How zoning laws influence substance use – The hidden role of urban planning in drug policy [11:55] The connection between real estate and drug containment – How property values and urban design affect policy [17:20] Public policy decisions that shape urban drug landscapes – Examining the role of legislation [22:45] Why some neighborhoods become containment zones – The factors that push certain areas into this role [28:30] The ethical debate around containment policies – Who benefits and who suffers? [34:10] What actually works in harm reduction? – Examining successful policies from various cities [39:05] Lessons from cities that changed their approach – Case studies and alternative strategies [42:10] Final thoughts and solutions – Where do we go from here in policy and public health? Links AMERSADr Joe WrightDr Joe Wright on LinkedInDr. Joe Wright on BlueskyAllyson Pinkhover on LinkedIn Further Reading Complaint-Oriented Policing: Regulating Homelessness in Public Space, Chris HerringHomelessness is a Housing Problem, Gregg Colburn & Clayton Page AldernThe Death and Life of the Great American Cities, Jane JacobArbitrary Lines, Noland GreyFighting for Space, Travis LupickAll Health Politics are Local, Merlin ChowkwanyunThe Color of Law, Richard LawsonFind us online at amersa.org, and see our tweets at x.com/AMERSA_tweets. Funding for this initiative was made possible by cooperative agreement no. 1H79TI086770 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Learn more about PCSS-MOUD at pcssnow.org.

    44 min

  6. 08/29/2024

    Emerging Overdose Detection Technologies and Hotlines

    Episode 8 - Emerging Overdose Detection Technologies and Hotlines Featuring: Ju Park, PhD MHS Assistant Professor of Medicine (Research) Director of Harm Reduction Innovation Lab Stephen Murray, MPH, NRP Director, Massachusetts Overdose Prevention Helpline Harm Reduction Program Manager, Boston Medical Center   Host: Ricky N. Bluthenthal, PhD Distinguished Professor of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California Associate Director of Institute of Addiction Sciences, USC Most people who experience a fatal overdose are alone at the time of use and death (solitary drug use). Real-time monitoring of drug use events and rapid connection to a peer responder or Emergency Medical Services could save lives if widely available. This podcast will describe the rationale for remotely supervised drug use via overdose prevention technologies and hotlines and provide examples for how these programs are working in the United States. Find us online at amersa.org, and see our tweets at x.com/AMERSA_tweets. Funding for this initiative was made possible by cooperative agreement no. 1H79TI086770 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Learn more about PCSS-MOUD at pcssnow.org.

    32 min

  7. 08/22/2024

    Innovative Access to Harm Reduction Support and Linkage to Treatment

    Episode 7: Innovative access to harm reduction support and linkage to treatment Featuring: Shelby Arena Harm Reduction Manager, MATTERS Joshua Lynch, DO, FACEP Associate Professor of Emergency & Addiction Medicine, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine; Chief Medical Officer, MATTERS   Host: Shoshana V. Aronowitz, PhD, MSHP, FNP-BC Assistant Professor, Department of Family and Community Health, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing The opioid epidemic is ever-changing and with contaminants like fentanyl and xylazine in the drug supply, lethal overdose rates have been increasing yearly. Programs like MATTERS offer multidisciplinary solutions to combat obstacles in accessing harm reduction resources and treatment. MATTERS employs innovative methods such as emergency telemedicine and electronic referrals to outpatient treatment. The emphasis on low-barrier access to supplies and treatment allows MATTERS to provide accessible and stigma free services. Collaboration with various groups ensures effective outreach and advocacy for policy changes to address the needs of people who use drugs with compassion. Find us online at amersa.org, and see our tweets at x.com/AMERSA_tweets. Funding for this initiative was made possible by cooperative agreement no. 1H79TI086770 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Learn more about PCSS-MOUD at pcssnow.org.

    41 min
  8. Putting Harm Reduction to the Test

    08/15/2024

    Putting Harm Reduction to the Test

    Episode 6: Putting Harm Reduction to the Test: Drug use, Pregnancy, and Parenting Featuring: Leah Warner, NP, MPH Street Medicine San Francisco Department of Public Health Simone Vais, MD UCSF Department of Family and Community Medicine Host: Jamie Lang New Beginnings Case Manager, Homeless Prenatal Program Pregnancy and the postpartum period challenge our notions of harm reduction and force us to address fundamental questions: who is our patient, and who is the primary focus of our harm reduction efforts? Is it the birthing parent, the fetus, the baby, or the entire family unit? Join host Jamie Lang and presenters Simone Vais, MD, and Leah Warner, NP, MPH, as they navigate through two intertwined journeys—one of substance use and recovery and another of pregnancy, birth, and parenting. On this journey, we inevitably encounter values that might be in conflict with one another, such as the family unity, recovery, and safety. Episode six delves into these dilemmas, exploring the tensions that arise and examining various harm reduction strategies applicable at different points along the continuum. Find us online at amersa.org, and see our tweets at x.com/AMERSA_tweets. Funding for this initiative was made possible by cooperative agreement no. 1H79TI086770 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Learn more about PCSS-MOUD at pcssnow.org.

    41 min
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Current Series, Stigma and Substance Use: Rewriting the Narrative.  Eight 30-minute episodes sponsored by PCSS-MOUD and hosted by AMERSA members, featuring subject matter experts across multiple disciplines. 2024 Series, Harm Reduction: Compassionate Care for People who use DrugsEight 30-minute episodes sponsored by PCSS-MOUD and hosted by AMERSA members, featuring subject matter experts across multiple disciplines.

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  • Creator
    AMERSA
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
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  • Copyright
    © 2025 AMERSA Talks
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    AMERSA Talks

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