National Council, CDC, Ad Council and Shatterproof Launch ‘Start With Hope’ Campaign
A new campaign showcases the role of hope for individuals who have followed their own paths to recovery and highlights resources and access to critical harm reduction and treatment support options.

NYT Publishes Article on the Rise of Polysubstance Use
The New York Times reports that millions of Americans are now addicted to several substances, making treatment more difficult. The number of opioid overdose deaths that involve stimulants is rapidly approaching half (42%), according to the Times’ analysis of preliminary data from the CDC in 2022.

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) Launches an Educational Virtual Reality Experience for Teens
NIAAA has launched Alcohol and Your Brain, a virtual reality module that educates young audiences about alcohol’s effects on five areas of the brain.

Washington Post Highlights National Council Member’s Vending Machine Program
On the heels of the National Council’s publication on harm reduction vending machines, the Washington Post features National Council member Bread for the City’s innovative harm reduction vending machine program in Washington, D.C.

Biden-⁠Harris Administration Announces New Actions to Support Recovery-ready Workplaces and Strengthen Our Economy
As part of President Biden’s Unity Agenda, Google and New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu joined the White House in releasing new guidance and a call-to-action for employers and state governments to build inclusive, supportive, recovery-friendly workplaces. This framework is adapted from the Recovery-ready Workplace toolkit published by the United States Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration.

Senators Introduce Two New Acts to Address Homelessness, Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder
Senators Alex Padilla, D-Calif., and Edward Markey, D-Mass., introduced the Housing Alignment and Coordination of Critical and Effective Supportive Health Services (ACCESS) Act (S.2932), a legislative initiative aimed at addressing the interconnected challenges of homelessness, mental health and substance use disorder. Additionally, they introduced the Homelessness and Behavioral Healthcare Coordination Act of 2023 to award five-year grants of up to $500,000 to eligible organizations to improve their capacity to coordinate culturally competent, trauma-informed behavioral and homelessness services.

New Revised Edition: Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for Opioid Use Disorder in Jails and Prisons
Created in partnership with Vital Strategies and the faculty at Johns Hopkins University, this revised resource guide supports the planning and implementation of opioid medication programs within correctional facilities.

Meaningful Representation of Lived and Living Experience in Governance Toolkit
The Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model requires meaningful representation of people with lived or living experience and their family members in governance and program implementation. This new toolkit dives into the requirements, best practices and considerations.

Stimulant Use Disorder Guide
The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) and the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (AAAP) developed guidelines focusing on the identification, diagnosis, treatment and promotion of recovery for patients with stimulant use disorder, stimulant intoxication and stimulant withdrawal.

Journal of Adolescent Health Publishes Study on Indirect Exposure to and Knowledge of Fentanyl Among Youth
Using data from an online assessment of youth in the United States, research showed that youth may have proximity to fentanyl exposure and a degree of understanding of fentanyl, but there is a general lack of knowledge of the substance.

NSDUH 2022 Data Released
SAMSHA just released data from the 2022 annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), providing nationally representative data on the use of tobacco, alcohol and drugs, and on substance use disorders, mental health issues and receipt of treatment among Americans aged 12 and older.

Webinar: Best and Promising Practices for Centering Lived and Living Experience and Recovery as a CCBHC | Nov. 28, 1-2:30 p.m. ET
This webinar will review the recommendations from the CCBHC Living Experience Advisory Council on organizational shifts toward centering lived and living experience and building a strong workforce of lived and living experience.

Webinar: The Double-edged Sword of Representation: Lived Experience, Tokenism and the Portrayal of Addiction Recovery Stories | Dec. 7, 1-2 p.m. ET
When told correctly, sharing one’s lived experience can illuminate the realities and misunderstandings of addiction to spark stronger support for empathetic treatment. When not stewarded appropriately, these same stories have the potential to further stigmatize, stereotype and disempower the very individuals at the center of the stories. This webinar will explore 11 recommendations for shifting the safety and empowerment of those who share their experiences to the forefront of nationwide public health campaigns and news coverage.

Wellbeing Wednesdays Episode 13: American Tragedy: ‘Dopesick’ Author Beth Macy on the Opioid Crisis, Overdose Deaths and What’s Next | Dec. 13, 2-3 p.m. ET
What has the opioid epidemic taught us? We’ll ask Beth Macy to share her research and insights as the New York Times bestselling author of “Dopesick,” a definitive account of the national crisis which was made into an Emmy-winning Hulu series.

NatCon24 Is Coming to St. Louis April 15-17 — Preview Discount Ends Dec. 15
Get ready for three days of industry-leading learning — we’re connecting you with the best minds in health care, including New York Times bestselling authors Marcus Buckingham and Isabel Wilkerson, APA President Arthur Evans and Co-founder of Eleanor Health Nzinga Harrison.