Implementing the Dignity in Risk Around Alcohol and Drugs with People with Intellectual Disabilities 

Presented by:  Dr. Elspeth Slayter and Dr. Marc Copersino

This workshop will provide an overview of the phenomenon of substance use and substance use disorders among people with intellectual disabilities.  We will discuss the challenges involved in implementing the dignity of risk concept with people with individuals with intellectual disabilities who use substances or who have substance use disorders.  We will provide active learning activities through the use of case studies. Finally, we will present on one prevention technique that uses alcohol or drug refusal skills training to foster supported decision making around substance use for among people with intellectual disabilities.

Dr. Elspeth Slayter is a forensic social worker specializing in work with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have substance use disorders and criminal justice involvement. Her research explores access barriers to substance use disorder treatment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  She is a professor at Salem State University's School of Social Work in Salem, MA.

Dr. Marc Copersino is a Research Psychologist and an Associate Psychologist at the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Clinical Research Program at McLean Hospital and an Assistant Professor of at Harvard University's Department of Psychiatry. He specializes in validation of specialized treatment and prevention services for people with intellectual and other neurodevelopmental disabilities in developmental disability services settings.