Opioid Policy Fellows 2020

3/9/2020

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Health Program

The Opioid Policy Fellows program is designed to support legislators who are experienced or emerging leaders on opioid addiction and overdose issues. This meeting introduced fellows to the year-long program 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 develop action steps.

Meet the Fellows

Representative Craig Lipscomb, Alabama

Representative Marsh Davis, Arkansas

Representative Jack Ladyman, Arkansas

Senator Rhonda Fields, Colorado

Representative Christopher Todd, Hawaii

Senator James Merritt, Indiana

Senator Stephen Meredith, Kentucky

Senator Beth Mizell, Louisiana

Delegate Sheree Sample-Hughes, Maryland

Senator Julian Cyr, Massachusetts

Senator Curt VanderWall, Michigan

Senator William White, Missouri

Assemblywoman Nancy Pinkin, New Jersey

Senator Julia Ratti, Nevada

Representative Wayne Sasser, North Carolina

Representative T.J. Marti, Oklahoma

Senator Darrell Weaver, Oklahoma

Senator Jose Rivera, New York

Representative Jay West, South Carolina

Representative Marybeth Redmond, Vermont

Senator Manka Dhingra, Washington

Representative Nicole Macri, Washington

Opioid Policy Fellows Kickoff Meeting

Held at the Hilton Garden Inn Downtown in Austin, Texas

**Agenda**
Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020
7:30-8 a.m.	Registration, Breakfast & Networking
8-9 a.m.	Welcome and Overview Charlie Severance-Medaris, NCSL Tammy Jo Musgraves, NCSL Kate Blackman, NCSL Erica Reott, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
9-9:40 a.m.	Setting the Stage Speakers provided an overview of the opioid epidemic and discuss recent federal actions as well as funding available to states. Moderator: Charlie Severance-Medaris, NCSL Speaker: Dr. Cherie Rooks-Peck, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention \| Powerpoint \| PDF file-15 pages
9:40-10:35 a.m.	Dialogue with State Health Officials State health officials discussed efforts in their states, including challenges and successes. State health officials and Fellows will have the opportunity to discuss issues in their own states and ask questions of each other. Moderator: Tahra Johnson, NCSL Speakers: Dr. Nathaniel Smith, Arkansas Department of Health \| Powerpoint \| PDF file-9 pages Dr. Jay Butler, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
10:45-11:05 a.m.	Action Planning—“Think, Pair, Share”
11:05-11:40 a.m.	Emerging Challenges in Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs) have emerged as a leading strategy for states to prevent and intervene in opioid misuse. This session highlighted emerging challenges and solutions including using and integrating PDMP data in key health provider settings. Moderator: Kate Blackman, NCSL Speaker: Sherry Green, Sherry L. Green & Associates, LLC \| Powerpoint \| PDF file-9 pages
11:50 a.m.-12:50 p.m.	Lunch and Brain Science of Addiction The speaker discussed the science behind addiction and participants will have the opportunity to explore the implications for policymakers. Moderator: Tammy Jo Musgraves, NCSL Speakers: Dr. Maher Karam-Hage, University of Texas
1-2:15 p.m.	On the Continuum of Care: Recovery and Support This session focused on state policies and programs designed to facilitate treatment, recovery and long term supports. Moderator: Karmen Hanson, NCSL Speakers: Aaron Williams, National Council for Behavioral Health \| Powerpoint \| PDF file-29 pages Dave Sheridan, National Alliance for Recovery Residences \| Powerpoint \| PDF file-34 pages
2:30-3:30 p.m.	Infectious Disease Consequences of the Opioid Crisis This session provided an overview of the infectious disease consequences of the opioid crisis. Speakers will share state strategies for prevent and intervention to reduce transmission rates and prevent outbreaks. Moderator: Charlie Severance-Medaris, NCSL Speakers: Dr. Jay Butler, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention \| Powerpoint \| PDF file-26 pages
3:45-4:45 p.m.	Interactive Session—Networking and Action Planning Fellows had the opportunity to speak with their colleagues about their challenges and successes. This peer-learning opportunity gave Fellows time to continue their action plan based on their conversations with peers.
4:45-5 p.m.	Wrapup
Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020
8-8:30 a.m.	Breakfast and Networking Participants had the opportunity to informally network and discuss key topics in their home states.
8:30-10 a.m.	Converging Crises: Opioid Use, Suicide and Adverse Childhood Experiences Substance use disorders and suicide have both claimed the lives of roughly 700,000 Americans since 1999. These crises share many overlapping risk and protective factors and many strategies can prevent deaths by both causes. This session explored this overlap with a particular focus on the role of adverse childhood experience on later health outcomes. Moderator: Charlie Severance-Medaris, NCSL Speakers: Dr. Christopher Jones, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention \| Powerpoint \| PDF file-40 pages
10:15-11:15 a.m.	Opioids in the Courtroom This session provided an overview of the ongoing opioid litigation across the 50 states. The session will pay particular attention to process involved with the consolidated case in Ohio, how settlements may be determined and the role of state legislatures in this process. Moderator: Tammy Jo Musgraves, NCSL Speaker: Paul Singer, senior counsel to the attorney general for public protection, Texas Attorney General’s Office
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.	Lunch and Medicaid Strategies This session covered strategies to address the opioid crisis through your state’s Medicaid program. This will include a discussion of the various waivers available and innovative treatment programs. Moderator: Karmen Hanson, NCSL Speaker: Emily Blanford, NCSL \| Powerpoint \| PDF file-12 pages
12:45-1:30 p.m.	Looking Down the Road This session focused on the opioid epidemic as a part of a larger addiction crisis and the ways that leaders in all sectors can approach and intervene in the crisis. Moderator: Kate Blackman, NCSL Speakers: Patty McCarthy, executive director, Faces & Voices of Recovery
1:30-2 p.m.	Action Planning and Wrapup

Second Meeting

The second meeting of the 2020 cohort of NCSL’s Opioid Policy Fellows program will take place May 1-3 in Denver.

Webinars

As part of the Opioid Policy Fellows program, Fellows are required to participate in two webinars. Topics and speakers will be announced when available.

Webinar 1: Friday, Feb. 21, 11 a.m. PT | Noon MT | 1 p.m. CT | 2 p.m. ET
Webinar 2: Friday, April 10, 11 a.m. PT | Noon MT | 1 p.m. CT | 2 p.m. ET