Opioids and Xylazine

Webinar Description

As new drugs such as xylazine are emerging, the opioid misuse epidemic continues to affect youth and families. As prevention professionals, it is important to stay up to date on the latest research-based information related to this critical public health problem. The goal of this session is to provide prevention professionals with knowledge about opioids and xylazine, including what they are and how they are similar and different. We will also focus on occupational fentanyl exposure, naloxone safety, and discuss the role prevention professionals can play in preventing opioid and xylazine misuse.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Explain what illicitly manufactured fentanyl is and how it compares to other opioids.
• Describe what xylazine is and how it is used in illicit substances.
• Recognize current drug use trends.
• Describe current guidance on occupational fentanyl exposure, naloxone safety, and evidence-based prevention to prevent opioid and xylazine misuse.

Who Should Participate

Community, tribal, jurisdiction, and state-level substance misuse prevention practitioners and allied health partners located in the Pacific Southwest region, including American Samoa, Arizona, California, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, Republic of Marshall Islands, and Republic of Palau.

Presenter

Nicole Rodin, PharmD, MBA is an associate professor at the Washington State University College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. She splits her time between teaching, working at her practice site, and conducting research. She is currently practicing at the WSU Research clinic, where she acts as a clinical lead for patients enrolled in clinical trials, finding novel ways to treat substance use disorders. Her research efforts focus on public health efforts for pharmacy and research to understand preventative and treatment interventions for substance use disorders. When not teaching, in clinic, or doing research, she translates these parts of her job into community outreach efforts. Being able to integrate into the community and provide immunizations, education, and advocacy with students and other members of the care team has been a gratifying opportunity.

Certificates of Attendance

Participants will receive a Certificate of Attendance of 1.5 hours for participating in the live webinar event.