On the frontlines of America’s drug epidemic: Opioids, fentanyl, meth and our response

Oaklawn invites you to join us for a half-day training featuring Sam Quinones, author of “Dreamland,” exploring the roots of America’s opioid epidemic, how it gave rise to fentanyl, meth and other substances and how leaders across the U.S., state and our community are responding.

Learning objectives

Understand the progression of America’s opioid epidemic
Describe how and why fentanyl became such a prevalent substance in the U.S.
Describe substance use trends over the past three years, including overdose death rates and other substances seeing increased utilization
Name at least four state and community initiatives seeking to reverse these trends

Training schedule

8 a.m. – Welcome & introduction
8:05 – Author and journalist Sam Quinones will speak about the progression of American drug use, from the silent opioid epidemic around the time he wrote “Dreamland,” to the rise of fentanyl and other drugs such as meth and what that progression means for our social systems.
9 a.m.-9:30 a.m. – Q&A with Sam Quinones
9:30 a.m.-9:50 a.m. – Break with light refreshments; Sam available to sign books
9:50-10:40 a.m. – Indiana Drug Czar Douglas Huntsinger will describe the steps taken under Governor Eric Holcomb’s leadership to help Hoosiers access treatment and recover from mental health and substance use disorders. Learn how public and private partners, state agencies and local communities have joined forces to advance successful strategies around prevention, treatment, enforcement and recovery.
10:40-11:15 – Panel featuring local change-agents:
- The Honorable Gretchen Lund, Elkhart County Drug Court Judge
- Dr. Brandon Zabukovic, Michiana Opioid Task Force and Medication-Assisted Treatment advocate
- Becky Savage, President and Co-Founder of the 525 Foundation
- John Horsley, Vice President of Adult and Addiction Services
11:15-11:30 – Q&A with panelists

About the speakers

Sam Quinones

Sam Quinones is author of the groundbreaking book “Dreamland: True Tales of America’s Opiate Epidemic,” which ignited awareness of the epidemic that cost the U.S. hundreds of thousands of lives. Sam’s newest book is “The Least of Us: True Tales of America and Hope in the Time of Fentanyl and Meth,” which chronicles the rise of fentanyl, a cheap and lethal drug marketed to those who became addicted during the opioid epidemic, as well as Americans’ quiet attempts to recover community through simple acts of helping the vulnerable.

Sam is a Los Angeles-based freelance journalist, a reporter for 35 years, and author of four acclaimed books of narrative nonfiction. He is a veteran reporter on immigration, gangs, drug trafficking and the border.

Douglas Huntsinger

Douglas Huntsinger serves as Executive Director for Drug Prevention, Treatment and Enforcement for the State of Indiana, and Chairman of the Indiana Commission to Combat Drug Abuse.

As a Senior Adviser to Governor Eric J. Holcomb and a member of the Governor’s Cabinet, Douglas oversees the coordination of the Governor’s Next Level Recovery initiative, aligning and focusing the State of Indiana’s response to the drug crisis. He also serves as a member of the Justice Reinvestment Advisory Council and the Governor’s Health Workforce Council.

The Indiana Judges Association recently named Douglas the 2021 Champion of Justice in recognition of his work supporting family recovery courts and behavioral health services for justice-involved individuals and families.

Panelists

The Honorable Gretchen Lund, Elkhart County Drug Court Judge. The Elkhart County Drug Court is a program for non-violent, drug- and alcohol-addicted people in the criminal justice system to participate in intensive court ordered treatment. Criminal justice stakeholders and mental health and substance use providers collaborate to make evidenced based decisions regarding each participant’s treatment plan. The Elkhart County Drug Court is now in its fourth year of operation.

Dr. Brandon Zabukovic is board-certified in family medicine and addiction medicine. He’s a regional leader in Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), with a particular practice focus on pregnant women and mothers struggling with addiction. He is the managing partner of Primary Care Partners of South Bend, supervising physician for YWCA residential substance use programs and chairman of executive committee of the Michiana Opioid Task Force.

Becky Savage is the President and Co-Founder of the 525 Foundation. The 525 Foundation works in communities to promote prevention of substance misuse through education and awareness.

John Horsley, MBA, LCSW, LCAC,is Vice President of Adult and Addiction Services at Oaklawn. He has introduced innovative treatment programs in collaboration with community stakeholders to expand treatment options and access to addiction services across two counties.

Cost
$75 (Includes registration fee, CEUs and snacks)

Continuing Education

3 CEUs for psychologists, social workers and counselors

Questions: Contact Alicia Sisk

alicia.sisk@oaklawn.org