HHS to host back to back events on opioid and substance use prevention

North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will host two events to address the opioid crisis and substance use prevention on Dec. 9 and 10, at the Bismarck Event Center. Both events are open to in-person and virtual attendees, providing an opportunity for stakeholders to collaborate, learn from experts, and develop actionable plans to address substance use challenges in North Dakota.

The North Dakota Opioid Best Practice Summit will be held on Monday, Dec. 9, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. It will focus on strategies to prevent opioid misuse, reduce overdose deaths, and enhance treatment and recovery supports.

On Tuesday, Dec. 10, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the North Dakota Day for Prevention will provide actionable insights on prevention strategies, community engagement, and data-driven approaches to reduce substance use, misuse and related consequences.

Attendance is free and open to all and geared towards behavioral health professionals, public health staff, educators, law enforcement, policymakers, recovery providers, coalition leaders and students in related fields. Both events offer Continuing Education Units (CEUs) approved by the North Dakota Boards of Addiction Counseling, Social Work Examiners, and Certified Peer Support Specialists.

These events align with the HHS mission to promote community well-being and expand access to services, supporting its strategic priorities of fostering strong, healthy families and communities, increasing access to high-quality behavioral health services closer to home, and enhancing collaboration with partners to improve outcomes statewide.

More information and links to register can be found at hhs.nd.gov/news/behavioral-health-trainings.