Pathways to Recovery: A Panel Discussion on Substance Use, Comprehensive Harm Reduction, and What You Can Do to Save Lives

The Problem

According to the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, “in 2022, there were 1,413 unintentional drug overdose deaths, an 11% increase from 2021.” Most of those deaths (83%) involved opioids, including fentanyl and similar substances. The path from substance use disorder to recovery varies from person to person, but public health strategies at the population level have been proven effective in many settings around the world. These strategies include mental health care, medical care and intervention, and harm reduction programs centered around providing various services for people who use substances.

The College of Physicians of Philadelphia

As one of the oldest medical societies in the country, the College of Physicians of Philadelphia has been devoted to lessening human suffering and upholding the ideals and heritage of medicine. On May 29, 2024, the College's Center for Public Health will host a panel discussion on substance use disorder and harm reduction programs in Philadelphia.

Naloxone Training (5 PM to 6 PM)

(better known by its trade name, "Narcan") is a medication used to reverse the effects of opioid drugs (like heroin or fentanyl). . From 5 PM to 6 PM the day of this event, training on recognizing overdoses and how to deliver first aid - including the use of naloxone - will be given at the College.

Panel Discussion (6 PM to 7:30 PM)

will offer opening remarks.

, Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine, will moderate the program. Dr. Lowenstein is a general internist and addiction medicine physician. Her research focuses on implementing evidence-based treatment and harm reduction interventions for opioid and other substance use disorders, particularly in general medical settings and through low-barrier treatment models. Dr. Lowenstein co-chairs the Opioid Use Disorder Workgroup of the Penn Medicine Opioid Task Force and practices integrated addiction medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. She completed her medical degree at the University of Pennsylvania, residency at UCSF, and fellowship in health policy at Penn.

Participating in the panel discussion will be experts in substance use disorder and comprehensive harm reduction programs in Philadelphia:

• Ronda B. Goldfein, Esq. - ; Executive Director, 
• Silvana Mazzella, BSW, MA -
• Elvis Rosado -
• Clayton Ruley -

The event will include a question-and-answer period, where members of the attending public can ask the experts about the issues discussed in the presentation.

Disclaimers

The event is free to attend, but registration is required.

The views and opinions expressed at this event are not necessarily those of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, its staff and leadership, the College Fellowship, or the organizations represented by the speakers/panel.