Fall Interdisciplinary Panel Sessions Focusing on Opioid Epidemic Begin Sept. 24
Mon, 09/23/2019 - 02:32pm | By: David Tisdale
The University of Southern Mississippi’s (USM) 2019-2020 Interdisciplinary Investigations, sponsored by USM’s School of Interdisciplinary Studies and Professional Development, is launching a series of panel discussion in the fall semester through the project titled “From Painkilling to Pain Causing: A Multidisciplinary Analysis of the Opioid Epidemic.” These events, which begin Sept. 24, will be held in Asbury Hall, room 124 (College of Nursing and Health Professions building) on the Hattiesburg campus, and are free and open to members of the university community and general public.
The panels will explore the epidemic from biology (plant), chemistry (chemical compounds), criminal justice, and psychological angles, with the goal of informing the USM and surrounding communities about how complicated the opioid addiction problem is, and how people can help regardless of their personal or professional backgrounds.
Faculty organizers of the panels include Dr. Mac Alford, biological sciences; Dr. Julie Pigza, chemistry; Dr. Ragan Downey, School of Criminal Justice; Dr. Mike Madson, School of Psychology; and Dr. Carolyn Holloway, College of Nursing and Health Professions.
“This interdisciplinary examination of the opioid epidemic is valuable, because it takes a multifaceted and comprehensive effort to help eradicate this major public health epidemic,” said Dr. Madson. “We are fortunate to have secured many leaders from Mississippi who address this problem through multiple avenues.”
The schedule of panel sessions and topics addressed follows:
*Panel 1, Tuesday, Sept 24, 6:30 p.m. - History & Introduction. Jim Moore, a Hattiesburg area recovery advocate, and Steve Parker, deputy director Mississippi Board of Pharmacy will provide a real life account of the epidemic, how it has evolved and the need to address the epidemic.
*Panel 2, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 6:30 p.m. – Treatment. Dr. Charles Richardson from Forrest General Hospital, Dr. Jeff Parker from the University of Mississippi Medical Center, and Alayna Bryant from Clearview Recovery, will discuss the spectrum of treatment approaches for addressing the opioid epidemic from a biopsychosocial perspective.
*Panel 3, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 6:30 p.m. - Enforcement: The Opioid Epidemic - Enforcement Efforts & Drug Courts. Representatives from the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, Jones County Sheriff’s Department, and the 12th Circuit Drug Court will discuss the spectrum of approaches for enforcement and deterrence of the opioid epidemic.
"As a botanist, I'm familiar with opium poppies and their natural chemical constituents, but I really haven't kept up with the latest chemical derivatives, their medical uses, the treatment options for pain, addiction, or overdose, or how cases of opioid addiction are handled in the criminal justice system,” Dr. Alford said. “We put together this interdisciplinary series in part to learn from each other and from other experts, to gain a broader perspective on the opioid crisis, and how we can be helpful members of the community."
For more information on this series, contact Dr. Madson at michael.madsonFREEMississippi.