Join us for a day of education, awareness, and community building surrounding the critical issue of drug overdose. This in-person event will feature keynote speakers, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities for attendees to connect and collaborate on strategies to prevent overdose and support those affected by it. Don’t miss this chance to be a part of the solution and make a positive impact in your community.

2023 Minnesota Overdose Awareness Conference

August 21, 2023, 8 am – 5 pm

St. Mary’s University Event Center

2540 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55404

Minnesota Overdose Awareness – Facebook Page

REGISTRATION LINK

AGENDA

Keynote Speaker:

Bio Ben Westhoff is an award-winning investigative reporter, speaker, and filmmaker whose books include Fentanyl, Inc.: How Rogue Chemists Created the Deadliest Wave of the Opioid Epidemic, the bombshell first book about the fentanyl epidemic. He has advised officials at the top levels of government about the opioid crisis. Westhoff is currently directing a film about the opioid treatment drug naltrexone, called Antagonist, and his most recent book Little Brother concerns his cold case investigation of the murder of his little brother in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.

His previous book Original Gangstas is the definitive work on West Coast hip-hop. He has written for The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Wall Street Journal, Rolling Stone, and the Guardian, and been interviewed as an expert commentator on CNN, NPR, and CSPAN, and on full, dedicated episodes of Fresh Air and the Joe Rogan Experience.

Plenary Session 1:

Cultural Considerations in SUD Treatment in Minnesota, with Pearl Evans from Minnesota Department of Health and community leaders.

Plenary Session 2:

Presentation Title: Minnesota Overdose Awareness Conference “What is and What Should Never Be” Workshop Description: This workshop will look at three components of substance use disorder affecting Minnesota today; the first portion will be a review of substance use disorder treatment admission trends and patterns.

The second component will be a review of overdose data, with specifics paid to opioid-related mortality. The third portion will be a review of the stigma related to substance use disorders and the effect that can have on access to treatment services. BIO Rick Moldenhauer, MS, LADC, LPCC, ICADC (Emeritus) is a Human Services Program Consultant/State Opioid Treatment Authority representative at the Behavioral Health Division, DHS. Rick has 39 years of experience in many substance use disorder treatment settings. He is on various State and Federal initiatives involving best practices and committees for various purposes.

Breakout Session 1: Thrive Family Recovery Resources

Changing Families, Restoring Lives: Harm Reduction Integrations for Family Systems This workshop will help attendees understand challenging behaviors, strategies for collaboration, new communication skills, and how to integrate harm reduction and multiple pathways both as a life-saving practice and as a way of being towards those suffering from substance use.

Whether you’re a professional hoping to assist the family members you work with, a community member who wants to learn more about how we can respond without stigma, shame, or causing harm, or a family member who feels as if there is nothing you can do and you are ill-equipped to respond to your loved-ones substance use or problematic behaviors in an honoring manner, this workshop is for you. Pam Lanhartis a family member impacted by substance use her entire life. She has been a caregiver of loved ones with substance use and mental health issues and is part of a family system with multiple members.

Breakout Session 2: Stever Rummler Hope Network

Fentanyl and Harm Reduction Fentanyl, the potent synthetic opioid, is the leading cause of overdose deaths in the US. This session explores the “fourth wave” of the opioid crisis. Attendees will learn more about illicitly manufactured fentanyl, current statistics and trends of the evolving overdose crisis, and how harm reduction tools and strategies can be implemented to prevent overdose and save lives. Presented by Alicia House, Executive Director, Stever Rummler Hope Network.

Breakout Session 3:

CEUs Available!! Ethical Considerations in Harm Reduction with Paula Brandt (DeSanto) MS, LSW, CCDP-D Expanse MN Co-Founder Paula Brandt has developed and worked in programs that serve people with mental illness and/or substance use issues for over 40 years. She has dedicated her career to advocating for person-centered, common sense, compassionate care. She is a Co-Founder of Expanse MN and an instructor with the Psychedelic Somatic Institute.

SOBER IN MINNEAPOLIS / ST PAUL: Sober living in the greater Minneapolis / St. Paul area doesn’t have to be boring; living free of substances opens the door to a world of new explorations and experiences. With our Sober in Minneapolis / St. Paul section, you have access to some of the hottest spots in the twin cities!

Do you have an event, product, restaurant, experience, or story that is based in the Minneapolis / St Paul area? We want to hear about it! Email us at thesobercurator@gmail.com or slide on into our DM’s on social media.

Also make sure to follow along with Sober Curator Ashley Sunderland @recoverygirlMN on IG

Looking for recovery resources in the greater Minneapolis /St Paul area? Be sure to check out our ALCOHOL & SUBSTANCE ABUSE RESOURCE GUIDE and scroll to the Minnesota section.

A Disco Ball is Hundreds of Pieces of Broken Glass, Put Together to Make a Magical Ball of Light. You are NOT Broken, Friend. You are a DISCO BALL!

Resources Are Available

If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.