Understanding the Social Justice Implications of the Opioid Epidemic

Release Date: 5/25/23

Expire Date: 7/31/24

This virtual educational activity is jointly provided by the Connecticut Hospital Association and the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

Target Audience: Physicians, nurses, social workers, quality professionals, risk managers, healthcare executives, and all healthcare professionals working with patients impacted by trauma and addiction.
Description: The opioid epidemic has ravaged communities across the United States.  In this virtual session, presenters will discuss the social justice implications of the opioid epidemic and the systems-level response to the pandemic.  Presenters will focus on communities of color and economically marginalized people.

Speakers:

Kevin Collins is Director of Training and Outreach at Health Equity Solutions in Hartford.  Mr. Collins previously worked in academia, most recently as the Director of the Jeh Johnson ALANA Cultural Center at Vassar College where he conducted many equity, inclusion, and justice workshops for faculty, students, and administrators in addition to oversight of campus-wide cultural programming, and direct support and advocacy for and alongside students of color.  Additionally, Mr. Collins worked in equity, inclusion, access, and belonging initiatives at the University of Chicago, DePaul University, Sam Houston State University, and Texas A&M University.  He is passionate about justice, equity, and inclusion, and motivating people and institutions to center the experiences, wellbeing, and access for those on the margins.  

Taylor Tucker, Program Manager of Training and Outreach at Health Equity Solutions (HES), earned a Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work from the University of Connecticut with a concentration in policy practice.  He is passionate about health equity and creating a place where everyone has affirming and equal healthcare access.  He believes in work directly informed by the community by creating and supporting policy, training, and advocacy that fits their unique needs.
Prior to working at HES, Mr. Tucker worked with the Nancy A. Humphreys Institute for Political Social Work where he designed and implemented training in a two-part program focused on voter engagement, knowledge and rights, support, and student political advocacy.  Before his college experience, he served in the U.S. Navy working as a mechanic shop manager, where he led multiple trainings that focused on working and supporting various sailor identities, job advancement knowledge, and overall health and well-being while deployed.

Learning Objectives: 
At the conclusion of this activity, participants can expect to:

•    Describe the impacts of the opioid epidemic on all communities, especially communities of color and economically marginalized people
•    Discuss the impacts of opioid epidemic response and their implications for communities of color and economically marginalized people
•    Explore solutions and site-specific interventions that are equitable, just, and sustainable