A significant challenge facing rural community members is how to work with those who are struggling with opioid use and other substance use while effectively intervening to reduce the risks associated with overdose. Safety planning is an important aspect of overdose prevention. In keeping with harm reduction principles, this webinar will explore best practices for overdose prevention so that community members feel more empowered to conduct safety planning with those individuals at risk.

Presenter: Dr. Delores Blackwell, LCSW, is a multijurisdictional licensed clinical social worker. She has held numerous administrative and clinical positions within both the addictions and mental health disciplines. She is an adjunct professor at both Touro College and Hunter College Silberman Schools of Social Work. In conjunction with her numerous roles, she also conducts and develops trainings for mental health and addictions professionals in both direct practice and leadership positions. She is currently a Research Project Manager at the New York State Psychiatric Institute at Columbia University Medical Center, where she works with the Opioid Response Network and Rural Opioid Technical Assistance Center within the Northeast and Caribbean (HHS Region 2).