Welcome to the inaugural edition of the Elevyst newsletter, The Pulse! We are excited to share updates on our work, upcoming events, partner news, and relevant industry insights.
THE ROUND UP
In August, Elevyst partnered with the New River Valley Regional Commission to facilitate a two-day substance use and harm reduction training experience for public safety, healthcare and behavioral health professionals, and government agencies in Virginia. This training supported the region's new recovery ecosystem including its new syringe services program. The Roanoke Times covered our training experience. | Read more here.
Our first two reports on stigma are now available. | Access them here.
DATA FOR CHANGE
We are currently collaborating with the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) on an initiative aimed at examining drug use and recovery stigma within the criminal justice system (CJS). This initiative seeks to gather insights from the general population, stakeholders working in the CJS, and individuals directly impacted by both substance use and the CJS.
Our goal is to identify opportunities for systemic improvement, enhance our understanding of service needs, and explore attitudes and perceptions regarding policing, and the justice system's responses to substance use disorder within the Commonwealth.
As we wrap up Recovery Month, we’re reflecting on a data point from this project.
Recovery looks different for different people and abstinence is not the only pathway.
We identified 39 different combinations of recovery. For example, a person with a history of opioid use disorder who no longer uses opioids but may continue to use other substances while also continuing to improve their overall wellbeing.
We surveyed over 5000 respondents from Pennsylvania, including roughly 6% who identified as being in recovery. Of those in recovery, 32% identify as abstinent, 44% using licit substances (e.g., alcohol, cigs, medically prescribed THC, and other medications), 10% illicit, and 14% continue to struggle.
PARTNER NEWS
We encourage you to connect with the PA Harm Reduction Network (PAHRN) and learn about their valuable work in Pennsylvania.
Join us for the Health Justice in PA coalition meetings, co-hosted with PAHRN on the second Tuesday of every month. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 8th at 12pm. Learn more and sign up here.
Elevyst's Sean Fogler will present at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Intramural Research Program (IRP) Addiction Grand Rounds (AGR) in early November. His presentation will focus on stigma around substance use and innovative technology to break the silence.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE WITH US.
In community,
Elevyst
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