Opening Plenary Session: State of Affairs - The Opioid Epidemic

Presentation Summary: The Opening Plenary will review related policies and strategies in Nevada and nationally. Conference Chair, Dr. Dinita Smith, will welcome conference attendees and provide an overview of this content-rich and impactful conference, which will highlight why opioid treatment is so much more than just a medication. Dr. Smith will be followed by Dr. Roshanda Clemons, Medical Director of the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services. She will highlight the current initiatives within the state of Nevada to combat the opioid crisis. She will be followed by Ms. Stephanie Cook, Nevada’s State Opioid Treatment Authority, who will provide an overview of the current landscape and programming initiatives occurring within the State of Nevada relating to opioid use disorder treatment. AATOD President, Mr. Mark Parrino, will present an overview of the challenges, opportunities, and accomplishments of AATOD over the past 18 months and will provide insight into AATOD’s plans and strategies for the future. SAMHSA/CSAT Director, Dr. Yngvild Olsen will review SAMHSA’s current policy-making initiatives in dealing with the opioid epidemic and will review the revision to 42 CFR Part 8. Mr. Gregory Staller will share the work the DEA is doing to address the changes brought about by the expanded use of mobile van services, the work with federal and international partners to stop the flow of fentanyl and heroin into the country, and how SAMHSA and DEA staff are working together to best address the ongoing opioid and overdose crisis in our country.