This 90-minute webinar will provide a detailed review of emerging drugs impacting non-metropolitan rural communities across the United States. Epidemiological data on synthetic drugs, fentanyl, other synthetic opioids, xylazine, cannabis, methamphetamine, cocaine, mixed opioids/stimulants, and vaping will be presented. The presentation will define key terms, describe the major classes of emerging drugs, present available data on the extent of use, and discuss the acute and chronic effects. The presentation will conclude with a discussion on how to implement effective harm reduction approaches for synthetic drugs, and strategies for overcoming barriers to accessing treatment and harm reduction services in rural areas.
Learning Objectives
At the end of the webinar, attendees will be able to:
- Describe the current information on the availability and at least three (3) patterns of emerging drug trends in non-metropolitan rural communities across United States.
- Identify at least three (3) key characteristics and acute and chronic effects of synthetic drugs, most notably synthetic opioids (fentanyl), xylazine, synthetic cannabinoids (spice) and synthetic cathinones (bath salts).
- Explain at least two (2) strategies for communicating the dangers involved with the use of emerging drugs.
Presenter: Beth A. Rutkowski, MPH, Director of Training and Epidemiologist, UCLA Integrated Substance Use and Addiction Programs (ISAP), Division of Addiction Psychiatry
