Strengthening Community-Based Prevention: Strategies for Addressing Substance Misuse in Alabama
This three-hour continuing education program equips Alabama’s mental health, healthcare, and community-based professionals with practical strategies to strengthen substance misuse prevention efforts. Through a combination of presentations and interactive breakout sessions, participants will explore current drug trends, medical cannabis considerations, and naloxone use alongside critical prevention competencies such as reducing stigma, understanding community norms, and applying accessible tools for data collection and evaluation.
Target Audience
This application-based course is intended for Pharmacists (ACPE), Physicians (ACCME), Physician Assistants (ACCME), Nurse Practitioners (ABN), Nurses (ABN), Dentists (BDEA), and Social Workers (ABSWE).
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:
- Analyze current drug trends and emerging substance use risks in Alabama and apply this knowledge to inform community prevention strategies.
- Identify and implement strategies to reduce stigma and shift harmful perceptions that contribute to substance misuse within communities.
- Evaluate community norms and social behaviors that influence substance use and develop interventions that promote healthier alternatives.
- Use practical, low-cost approaches to collect, analyze, and report data for improving program evaluation, monitoring performance, and guiding quality improvement in prevention initiatives.