Tackling Stigma Associated with SUDs

Primary Presenter(s)

• • 

    Margie Donohue

    Dir., Public Awareness
    Health Promotion & Prevention, BHA, Maryland Dept of Health

    Disclosure: Nothing to disclose

Co-Presenter(s)

• 

  Kathleen Rebbert-Franklin, LCSW-C

  Director, Service Access and Practice Innovation
  Maryland Department of Health, Behavioral Health Administration

In order to garner the support needed to combat the opioid crisis, it is necessary to address the stigma associated with SUDs. Educating the public as well as the health community regarding stigma, provides the opportunity to dispel myths, present facts and start conversations. In Maryland, we are bringing the conversations out of the shadows and into everyday life through a series of connected campaigns.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the importance of educating the public on the science behind SUDs.
• Identify a variety of ways to dispel common misconceptions, held by the public, regarding SUDs.
• Describe the value of public awareness campaigns aimed at normalizing the conversation about SUDs.