Substance Use 101
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
12:00-2:00 PM via Zoom
Overview
With law enforcement on the frontlines of the drug overdose epidemic, it is crucial that we understand why this is happening and what we can do about it. This training will examine the addiction crisis in context and will examine how it weighs on our society, our community, our family, and ourselves. Participants will learn about the spectrum of substance use, including an overview of the major recreational drugs that can cause overdose and/or addiction. We will explore questions such as why people use substances in risky ways, how to communicate respectfully with people who use drugs, and how to support people on their journey out of addiction.
Training Objectives
Following completion of this training, participants will be able to:
1. Describe the major recreational drugs encountered by law enforcement, including their psychoactive effects, health and safety risks, and potential for addiction.
2. Discuss reasons people use substances in safe and unsafe ways.
3. Outline the current scientific understanding of what causes addiction.
4. Describe the short-term and long-term interventions that lead to fewer drug overdose deaths and fewer people suffering with addiction.
5. Discuss the role that law enforcement and other frontline workers play in the fight against the drug overdose epidemic.
Presenters:
Max Moss, B.S., EMT, Yale medical student, SWAN volunteer and harm reduction worker
Yezenia Lebron, Recovery Support Specialist, New Reach, Inc.