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Webinar on Evidence-based Interventions to Address the Opioid Epidemic

Updated: Nov 4, 2022



Watch a recording of this APF webinar which discussed the recently published report, Evidence-based Interventions to Address the Opioid Epidemic. The report features 24 evidence-based strategies and interventions that state, county, and local policymakers can implement to combat the opioid crisis.


Featured Speakers:


Dr. Brian Fuehrlein, VA Connecticut Healthcare System


Brian Fuehrlein, M.D. Ph.D. is currently an Associate Professor and the director of the psychiatric emergency room at the VA Connecticut. Dr. Fuehrlein has a strong interest in medical student and resident education, particularly surrounding addiction psychiatry and serves on multiple local and national committees in this role. In 2017 he was awarded the Irma Bland award for excellency in psychiatry resident education through the APA. In 2018 he was awarded the Clerkship Faculty Teaching Award for Outstanding Medical Student Educator and Role Model. He is also passionate about emergency psychiatry and substance use disorders and has presented and published his work surrounding opioid use disorder in the emergency room setting. In 2019 he was inducted into the American College of Psychiatrists, an organization that recognizes excellence in clinical practice, research, academic leadership, or teaching.


Sierra N. Dantzler, MPH, CPH, Ohio Department of Health


Sierra Dantzler is a Program Manager for Harm Reduction Initiatives at Ohio Department of Health. She and her team coordinate various harm reduction efforts, including Project DAWN program – one of the nation's largest networks of take-home naloxone distribution and overdose education programs. Since 2019, Sierra has supported the distribution of over 430,000 naloxone units to various communities across Ohio. Currently, she is working toward new harm reduction programs to support the implementation and enhancement of syringe service programs and the expansion of services to ethnic minorities, people in rural areas, and justice-involved individuals. Sierra is certified in Public Health and holds a Master’s in Public Health from University of Kentucky.


Steven Seitchik, Pennsylvania Department of Corrections


Steve Seitchik is currently the Medication Assisted Treatment Statewide Coordinator for the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. Steve received his graduate degree in clinical psychology from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. In 1992, Steve started his clinical career at the Stevens Center (no relation) in Carlisle, PA working in their Partial Hospitalization Unit; as well as providing outpatient drug and alcohol services. Mr. Seitchik became certified as an Employee Assistance Professional (CEAP) while working at Family and Children’s Services of the Capitol Region and conducted Critical Incident Stress Debriefings in Manhattan, NY after 9/11. Steve has also served as adjunct faculty for the Harrisburg Area Community College for the past 20 years.


Erin Smead, MSW, University of Kentucky College of Social Work/Kentucky Department for Community Based Services


Erin Smead, MSW, is the Director for the Sobriety Treatment and Recovery Teams (START) program with the KY Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) and the University of Kentucky. Ms. Smead has worked in the area of child welfare for 22 years in a variety of capacities and played an integral role in the implementation and growth of the nationally recognized and evidence based START program in Kentucky. Ms. Smead has provided guidance and technical assistance and trained across Kentucky and nationally on issues relating to child welfare and substance use and the START program.


Jessica Hulsey, Addiction Policy Forum

Jessica Hulsey is founder and Executive Director of the Addiction Policy Forum, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to elevating awareness around substance use disorders and helping patients and families in crisis. APF works to end the stigma surrounding addiction while translating science and providing services in all 50 states. Ms. Hulsey has more than 25 years’ experience in the field of prevention, treatment, and policy solutions to address substance use disorders. She serves on the National Advisory Council on Drug Abuse for the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the HEAL Community Partner Committee, National Institutes of Health (NIH).

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