Experts Draw Attention to the Opioid Crisis and Open Access to Screening

Available with English captions.

Learn from experts about opioid misuse and treatment and gain access to take a free, anonymous, online screening for yourself or a loved one.

Opioid Screening and Awareness

This virtual town hall event kicked off the Massachusetts Opioid Screening and Awareness Day on September 22, 2020. Massachusetts Opioid Screening and Awareness Day is a collaboration between Fighting Opioid Misuse, the Brigham Comprehensive Opioid Response and Education (B-CORE) Program, and McLean Hospital.

With the goal of educating community members, experts spoke on topics including:

  • Signs, symptoms, facts, and dangers of opioid misuse and disorder
  • Increasing knowledge about the disorder so it is better recognized, treatment options become more visible, and stigma is reduced
  • Helping individuals recognize behaviors and symptoms that may signal opioid misuse/disorder
  • Connecting at-risk participants with quality treatment options in their local community

Screening for Opioid Misuse

If either you or a loved one are using opioids, take a screening.

Screenings are a quick way to determine if you or someone you care about may need to reach out to a health care professional. Screenings should be followed by a full evaluation to determine diagnosis and type of follow-up needed.

This free, anonymous, online screening has been adapted specifically to be used to screen for opioid misuse in oneself or in a loved one.

TAKE THE SCREENING

Please note: This screening tool is not intended to provide a diagnosis of opioid use disorder, nor is it a substitute for a complete evaluation by a health care provider.

About the Event

Guests—such as Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, McLean’s Roger D. Weiss, MD, and more—spoke throughout the event:

Welcome Remarks

MA State Representative Jon Santiago, MD, MPH
MA State Senator Julian Cyr
David A. Rosman, MD, MBA, Massachusetts Medical Society
Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh

Introduction to the Opioid Problem in Massachusetts

Scott G. Weiner, MD, MPH, Brigham B-CORE Program

Inequities in Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment

Sarah Wakeman, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital

Buprenorphine Treatment and Experience of a Patient in Recovery

Claudia Rodriguez, MD, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and a Patient With Lived Experience

Dual Diagnosis – SUD With Concurrent Psychiatric Illness

Roger D. Weiss, MD, McLean Hospital

Treatment With Methadone

Jan Kauffman, RN, MPH, LADC-1, North Charles Foundation

The Role of Recovery Coaches in Treating SUD

Eddie Casado, CARC, Mass General Brigham

Opioid Use Disorder and Veterans

Nitigna Desai, MD, VA Bedford Healthcare

How to Take a Screening for Opioid Use Disorder

Douglas G. Jacobs, MD, Fighting Opioid Misuse