When you think of the opioid crisis, older adults are likely not what comes to mind. However, older adults are highly impacted by the crisis. For some, it is a result of the opioid medications prescribed for chronic pain, while others have struggled with chronic substance use disorder for years, even before the crisis began.

 In this episode, we explore the often unexpected ways the opioid crisis is affecting older adults. We'll dive into why this group is so often overlooked in discussions about dependency and recovery, and examine the unique challenges they face in accessing education and care.

Guests:

• Maryann Mason, PhD, Sociologist and an associate professor of emergency medicine at Northwestern University
• Mary Nguyen, Pharmacist
• Jessica Liebster, Case Manager at West Neighbourhood House

Going to college is an exciting time filled with new experiences. For some students, it might also be their first exposure to opioids, and they may not know the dangers of accidental overdose.

However, college is also a time when many students get involved in creating change and promoting education to protect themselves, other students, and their communities. In this episode, hear how the conversation around overdose on college campuses is changing, and the students, administrators, and public health experts working to create safer campuses for everyone.



Guests:

• Riley Sullivan, Bella Grumet and Kathleen Ready of the Carolina Harm Reduction Union
• Cori Hammond, M.P.H, Director, Prevention Services, Partnership to End Addiction
• Alexis Drakatos, Assistant Director of Substance Misuse Prevention at the University of Oregon

Stress and other challenges often follow us into the workplace, and for those struggling with opioid dependency, the risks can be even more serious. Opioid overdose can happen on the job, yet many employees aren't aware of the warning signs or how to respond to help save a coworker’s life.

In this episode, we explore efforts to create safer, more supportive work environments, including initiatives to make naloxone accessible and build recovery-friendly workplaces. Hear how businesses can be part of the solution.

Guests:

• Lorraine Martin, CEO of the National Safety Council
• Desiree Voshefksy, Community Impact Manager at Community Medical Services for Eastern Arizona
• Cal Beyer, Senior Director for SAFE Workplaces at SAFE Project
• Dr. Joel Moody, Chief Prevention Officer and Assistant Deputy Minister for the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills development

Resources:

• The Alliance for Naloxone Safety in the Workplace
• Waging A Counterattack on Opioids: First-Dose Prevention Strategies for the Workplace & at Home

Opioid overdose is a leading cause of accidental death in the United States, and middle and high school students are dying at unacceptable rates. Students across the country are advocating for more education and better access to resources in schools, so they can keep themselves and their peers safe.

In this episode, hear from some of those students, as well as an adolescent health expert, about how the opioid crisis has touched this population, and how they are working to help create a safer future for everyone.

Guests:

• Hays Stritikus, Co-Director, Students Against Overdose
• Dr. Patricia Kapunan, Pediatrician and Adolescent Health Specialist
• Jackson Taylor, student and advocate
• Sujit Hedge, student, advocate and volunteer EMS provider

To learn more about what Emergent is doing to help combat the opioid epidemic, visit www.emergentbiosolutions.com

It takes a village to care for a newborn and navigate early motherhood, but mothers with a history of opioid dependency often lack the community support that can help them thrive. Stigma can be a barrier to getting proper care for themselves and their babies, which may be heightened for babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome. Even the act of asking nurses at the hospital for advice can seem daunting.

This episode, we talk to people and organizations who are working to reduce stigma and improve outcomes. By providing compassionate care, both mothers and infants can be set up for success.

Guests:

• Nikole Young, Director at Heart Rock Justus Family Recovery Center
• Tara Sundem, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Hushabye Nursery
• Justin Phillips, CEO and Founder of Overdose Lifeline

To learn more about what Emergent is doing to help combat the opioid epidemic, visit www.emergentbiosolutions.com

Navigating the criminal justice system can be a difficult experience for anyone, but for people who struggle with opioid use, or those in recovery, these challenges can feel insurmountable. Treatment within jails and prisons is not consistent, and people can be left with more challenges than solutions upon release.

In this episode, we will hear from people doing the work to move the needle and equip people with evidence-based resources to prevent opioid overdose and promote recovery.

Guests:

• Chris Chavez, Regional Manager of Community Programs at HOPE Incorporated.
• Dr. Olivia Sugarman, postdoctoral fellow at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
• Jason Edgcomb, Superintendent at the LaSalle County Jail

To learn more about what Emergent is doing to help combat the opioid epidemic, visit www.emergentbiosolutions.com

Welcome back to Countermeasures. In our upcoming season, we are taking a closer look at some of the communities hit hardest by the opioid crisis. From the corridors of elder care facilities to the bustling halls of high schools, we’ll hear from advocates, public health experts, and people who are using their lived experience to make things better for their communities. Together, we'll come to better understand the opioid crisis and discover a new way forward.

To learn more about what Emergent is doing to help address the opioid crisis, visit www.emergentbiosolutions.com

Congress plays an important role in addressing the opioid crisis as a public health emergency. In this bonus episode, hear how policymakers are working to identify solutions that help support our communities and turn the tide on the opioid epidemic.

Guests

Representative Dave Joyce, Ohio’s 14th District

Jessica Hulsey, Founder and CEO, Addiction Policy Forum

Resources:

• Addiction Policy Forum
• Addiction Policy Forum Training and Workshops

To learn more about what Emergent is doing to combat the opioid epidemic, visit www.emergentbiosolutions.com