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Jun Jun 3 4
  • In-Person Event

Opioid Policy Fellows: Policy Solutions and Innovations Meeting

  • Saturday, June 3, 2023
    • In-Person Event
View Event Details:

The Opioid Policy Fellows program is designed to support legislators who are experienced or emerging leaders on opioid addiction and overdose issues. The second meeting will continue the work of the Opioid Policy Fellows and will build learning in a peer setting. The meeting goals include:

  • Build knowledge about new research, policy and innovations.

  • Exchange ideas and solutions with other legislative leaders related to opioid misuse and overdose, and related issues.

  • Connect with leading researchers and policy experts.

  • Identify practical information to use in your state and expand or develop new action steps.

Saturday, June 3 

9 – 9:15 a.m.

Welcome & Overview 

Moderators:

  • Bob Doyle, NCSL
  • Charlie Severance-Medaris, NCSL   
9:15 – 10 a.m.

Fellows Report Out  

This session will provide an opportunity for Fellows to share their challenges and successes since the last meeting. Fellows will provide updates on their action plans and share new developments, policies and programs in their states. 

Moderator:

  • Charlie Severance-Medaris, NCSL   
10 – Noon

Non-Traditional Partners: Criminal Justice and Exploring the Sequential Intercept Model 

This session will focus on collaboration between health and justice system actors at various levels of government to improve outcomes for individuals.

Facilitators:

  • Amber Widgery, NCSL 
  • Amanda Essex, NCSL  

Noon – 1 p.m.
Roundtable Discussions 
1:30 – 2:45 p.m.

Non-Traditional Partners: Continued   

This session will continue to explore the intersection of criminal justice and the public health system. Speakers will highlight federal programs and federal-state partnerships combatting illicit drug use and distribution. 

Moderator:

  • Amber Widgery, NCSL   

Speakers:

  • Keith Weis, executive director, Rocky Mountain HIDTA | Presentation
  • Gabe Greenwald, STARR team clinician, Summit County Sheriff’s Office | Presentation
  • Ruby Hornback, STARR team clinical case manager, Summit County Sheriff's Office 
  • Sylvia Simms, STARR team lieutenant, Summit County Sheriff's Office 
3 – 4:15 p.m.

Federal Policy Updates: Implications for States  

This session will focus on strategies to advance access to care with particular attention to understanding the state policy implications of the federal MAT and MATE Acts as well as the FDA approval of over-the-counter naloxone.

Moderator:

  • Lauren Kallins, NCSL  

Speaker:

  • Aaron Williams, senior advisor, National Council for Mental Wellbeing | Presentation
  • Stephanie Noblit, legislative attorney, Legislative Analysis and Public Policy Association | Presentation
4:15 – 4:45 p.m. Action Planning
4:45 – 5 p.m. Wrap Up

Sunday, June 4 

9 – 10 a.m.

Creative Collaborations Across Sectors 

This session will feature Colorado’s collaborations across sectors with health, law enforcement and others. Speakers will share successes and lessons learned.

Moderator:

  • Tahra Johnson, NCSL

Speakers:

  • José Esquibel, Colorado Prescription Drug Consortium | Presentation

  

10 – 11 a.m.

Hope and Recovery: 

Tonya Wheeler, a peer specialist and certified addictions counselor, will share her story, what she has learned about recovery and how her journey and the lived experience of others in recovery can inform policy to address the opioid epidemic. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions, share their own insights and reflect on the program.   

Moderator:

  • Karmen Hanson, NCSL  

Speakers:

  • Tonya Wheeler, executive director, Advocates for Recovery Colorado | Presentation

11 a.m. – noon
Final Action Planning and Evaluation 
Sponsors
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