Our nation is facing an opioid epidemic that has reached crisis levels; drug overdose deaths have surpassed car accidents and firearms as the leading cause of injury and death in the U.S. In 2014 47,000 people died of drug overdoses, more than any other year on record, and opiate overdoses accounted for more than half of those deaths. For persons experiencing homelessness the crisis is not a new one, and the effects of addiction have an even greater devastating impact. As the Health Care for the Homeless community knows well, addiction can cause and prolong homelessness, and the conditions of homelessness complicate one’s ability to engage in addiction treatment.
This webinar, which complements our recently published policy brief, identifies challenges to treating opioid addiction with Medication Assisted Treatment (Buprenorphine) in a health center environment, and discusses provider practices to overcome these challenges to promote access and recovery. The webinar will also provide an update on federal legislative and administrative efforts to address the opioid crisis and its impact on the delivery of treatment to persons experiencing homelessness.
Speakers:
- Nilesh Kalyanaraman, MD, Chief Health Officer, Health Care for the Homeless, Baltimore, MD
- Terry Clark, Addictions Counselor, Health Care for the Homeless, Baltimore, MD
- Brianna Sustersic, MD, Senior Medical Director of Primary Care, Central City Concern, Portland, OR
- Brian Barnes, Clinical Supervisor, Central City Concern, Portland, OR
Moderators:
- Barbara DiPietro, Senior Director of Policy, National HCH Council
