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Rural communities have been highly impacted by the current opioid crisis and growing polysubstance use, yet often lack optimal infrastructure to support needed services for individuals with substance use disorder (SUD), and especially for people who inject drugs (PWID). This course offers a focused educational session on the growth of low threshold harm reduction/syringe service programs in Kentucky's Appalachian region, and presents collaborative research findings from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and the Knox County KY Health Department.

At the end of the seminar learners will be able to:

• Identify opportunities for integration of harm reduction approaches for patients impacted by SUD and medical complications.
• Adopt stigma-reduction practices that support ongoing care engagement by PWID.
• Identify inter-agency partnerships to foster improved linkage and care for PWID patients.

How to claim your credits & download handouts for each webinar:

Under the "Course" tab (or "Content" tab):

1. Complete the required course materials.
2. Claim your credits by clicking the "Report Credit" or "Request Credit" button on the right above the course materials.

Hilary L. Surratt, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Behavioral Science at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and Director of Evaluation for the UK Center for Clinical and Translational Science.  Dr. Surratt has expertise in the areas of substance use disorder, prescription drug diversion, and drug-related HIV infection. Her work has included the development and evaluation of behavioral HIV and HCV interventions for vulnerable populations of people who use drugs, as well as epidemiologic studies of prescription drug diversion, including opioid analgesics and antiretroviral medications. She has served as PI or Co-Investigator on more than 15 NIH-funded studies.  Her current research focuses on the examination of syringe service programs in Kentucky and the development of targeted interventions to reduce HIV Infection, as well as structural drivers of HIV related risk behaviors and health service access. Dr. Surratt has published widely in both English and foreign-language journals in the areas of substance use, drug diversion, HIV/AIDS, violence, and drug policy. She has authored or co-authored more than 150 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters and is an active participant in professional meetings, both in the United States and internationally. She obtained her BS in Psychology from the University of Florida, and a Doctorate in Psychology from the Graduate School & University Center, City University of New York.

Rebecca Rains serves as the Executive Director of the Knox County Health Department located in Barbourville, Kentucky.  She was appointed to this position in 2014.  Prior to serving in her current position, Rebecca worked in the hospital and managed care settings.  Rebecca earned a Bachelor's Degree in both Public Health and Social Work from the University of the Cumberlands and Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Kentucky.  As the Executive Director, Rebecca has oversaw the approval and implementation of a syringe service program at the local health department.  This program has grown to be one of the largest programs in the region and since opening in 2016, has provided services to more than 1,200 participants.

Funding for this initiative was made possible (in part) by grant no. 1H79TI085588 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Financial Disclosure & Disclaimer: This program receives no commercial financial support.

The information in this educational activity is provided for general medical education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical judgment of a physician relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient's medical condition. The viewpoints expressed in this CME activity are those of the authors/faculty. They do not represent an endorsement by the AOA. In no event will the AOA be liable for any decision made or action taken in reliance upon the information provided through this CME.