Trends in Opioid Misuse and Abuse
Rates of prescription opioid medication misuse remain high, but have leveled in comparison to a sharp increase in heroin abuse.Featuring renowned lecturer, writer, and researcher, Dr. Jeffrey Fudin, and nationally recognized pain educator of the year, Dr.Leah LaRue, this program will illustrate recent trends in opioid use, and naturally occurring kratom (mitragynine), and discuss pharmacology and physical effects. Consequences to public health continue to emerge and require a multi-pronged approach to mitigate the risks associated with opioid misuse, abuse, and addiction before, during and following clinic evaluation.
Overview
Speakers
Jeffrey Fudin, PharmD
Dr. Fudin is a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist and Director of the PGY-2 Pharmacy Pain Residency Programs at the Albany Stratton VA Medical Center. He holds adjunct faculty positions at the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, Western New England University College of Pharmacy, and Albany College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences. A renowned lecturer, writer, and researcher, Dr. Fudin has been an invited speaker nationally and internationally, and served as a Task Force member for the Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) for role delineation study/practice analysis of pain and palliative care pharmacy. He was recently awarded the American Academy of Pain Medicine’s Presidential Commendation, in recognition as “a voice for scientific integrity and an advocate for people in pain.” He is consultant to the national panel developing consensus guidelines for proper use of urine testing in addiction medicine, a collaborative effort with the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP), Center for Lawful Access and Abuse Deterrence (CLAAD), and the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). Dr. Fudin is owner and managing editor for paindr.com.
Leah J. LaRue, PharmD, PMP
As Associate Director, Clinical Affairs, Dr. LaRue provides education on Millennium Health’s offerings with a goal of providing information to health care providers that may help them improve clinical outcomes and patient safety. She has considerable experience in the areas of pain management and addiction, including a background in medical advocacy for pharmaceutical products, where she focused on initiatives to address the safe use of opioid pain medication and issues surrounding misuse, abuse, and diversion. She was named the 2013 Industry Pain Educator of the Year by the American Society of Pain Educators and was the 2013 recipient of the St. Louis College of Pharmacy Alumni Association’s Distinguished Young Alumnus Award. Dr. LaRue earned a Doctor of Pharmacy degree with honors from the St. Louis College of Pharmacy and is a licensed registered pharmacist in Missouri.