Events
The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Tobacco and Substance Use Prevention and Control Program and its related public health and non-profit partners frequently offer training, events, and conferences focused on the many different areas of tobacco and substance use prevention and control.
If you have an conference in Maine that is relevant to the prevention and control of tobacco, substance use, suicide or injury; submit information to tsup.dhhs@maine.gov. We will review and post if appropriate.
Substance Abuse in Older Adults: Myths and Misconceptions
Substance abuse in older adults is a complex and often silent epidemic. It is underestimated, under identified, under diagnosed and under treated. Multiple chronic illnesses, polypharmacy and physiological effects of aging, can all lead to misuse. Substance abuse and misuse among older people is often overlooked, mistaking the symptoms for those of dementia, depression, or other problems common to older adults. Join Dr. Fingerman as she discusses and dispels common myths and misconceptions about addiction in older adults. Participants will then be in a better position to identify misuse/abuse and provide direction for patients and their families. Continental Breakfast included.
Ethics in Prevention
Ethics in Prevention training was developed under the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for the Center for Application of Prevention Technologies. This training provides opportunities to engage in discussions of the six key principles of the Prevention Code of Ethics and explore a four-step decision-making model for assessing, addressing, and evaluating a range of ethical issues. Registration fee includes light breakfast and lunch.
Annual Comprehensive Sexuality Education Conference
Featuring Stacy Vannah, Health Educator, Keynote Speaker.
Skill-building workshops, exhibit tables, networking
What is SBIRT?
The Maine AAP is committed to helping practitioners identify youth on this path so we can intervene earlier! Screening Brief Intervention Referral to Treatment is one evidence-based approach to doing this. Please consider joining us to enhance your skills in identifying and offering brief interventions in the primary care settings for youth on the path to substance use disorders. Motivational Interviewing is a technique using specific skills and has proven to yield better outcomes when used in the strategic treatment of youth engaging in substance misuse.
Opiate and Medication Misuse in Seniors
The aging population in Maine is growing rapidly, and with them come unique aspects of medication mis-management and abuse. This workshop is intended for agencies and individuals who want to increase their knowledge about the seniors in their care. Opiate and Medication Misuse in Seniors will address the challenges and barriers in identifying elders who may be misusing or abusing opiates and other medications.Join Dr. Fingerman as she discusses the effects of these medications on the aging brain and body and the differences between symptoms of addiction compared to symptoms of aging and cognitive decline.
Participants who complete this 3-hour workshop will be able to:
• List 2 challenges/barriers in identifying elders with addiction
• Discuss the difference between “early onset” and “late onset” addiction
• Compare the difference between symptoms of addiction and symptoms of aging and cognitive decline
Continental Breakfast included.
Prevention on the Brain: Developing Brain-Friendly Prevention Messages for Youth
Adolescence is a time when young people’s brains are changing and developing rapidly, causing them to approach decision‐making in new and different ways. Understanding how youth think about risks and choices around substance use, relationships, sexuality, and other health behaviors is key to developing prevention approaches that are truly effective. This training is geared for a wide range of professionals working with youth around behavior change, risk reduction, and health promotion. Registration fee includes light snacks.
Culture in Prevention: Professional Development Training
The Maine Youth Action Network’s vision is for communities throughout Maine to foster the healthy development of youth and create a thriving network of engaged leaders. We do this work through a series of local and statewide initiatives, including hosting and providing training to adults. Our 2018-2019 professional development training series is designed specifically for adults working with youth to grow the network of adult allies in Maine, strengthen the knowledge and skills of network members, and promote high quality work of local trainers. This series is offered free to any interested adult in Maine. Space is limited to 40 participants.
Beyond the Basics In Suicide Prevention 2019
From its beginning in 2003, Maine’s Beyond the Basics in Suicide Prevention Conference has provided Maine health professionals, educators, clinicians, first responders and community members with “Best Practice” information, guidance and resources in suicide prevention and management efforts. The conference is designed for an adult audience that has attained basic training and knowledge in suicide and suicide prevention, and wishes to expand their knowledge and ability to engage in suicide prevention in Maine. The conference theme in 2019 is Building Resiliency Through Effective Interventions and will highlight a range of informative breakout sessions underscoring efforts to better assess and manage suicide risk as well as ways to support resilience.
This year’s conference features national experts on late life suicide and self-injury, as well as local professionals to address suicide prevention, intervention, and post-vention issues. The program will offer messages of hope and recognize a few of the caring Mainers who have made a difference.
Early Bird Registration $65.00.
Loneliness, Longing and Belonging: Connection as Prevention
This 2-day experiential training will explore and address loneliness, longing and belonging from an ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) perspective and some strategies Prevention Professionals can use to integrate this information into their work. We’ll review the basics of the mental, emotional and physical aspects of these unwanted private experiences. We’ll illustrate how people get “stuck” in these experiences – called psychological inflexibility – and end up acting in ways that keep them disconnected and isolated. We’ll illustrate how an ACT approach can help make sense and make contact with these painful thoughts, feelings and sensations. We’ll use the techniques of mindfulness and psychological flexibility to assist making these experiences useful rather than to be avoided. And with increased psychological flexibility, we help build meaningful connections. Registration fee includes continental breakfast, and lunch for both days. Early bird fee $100.00 if you pay by April 22, 2019.
Reducing Stigma and Using Harm Reduction When Working with People Who Use Opioids
Inherent in the way we talk about things is how we think of those same things. When we use words like “clean” we necessarily imply that the opposite is “dirty.” Opioid Use Disorder continues to be a highly stigmatized medical condition despite the many advancements in neurobiology and a fuller understanding of social and environmental determinants of health. In spite of these many advancements, people with an Opioid Use Disorder continue to report high rates of discrimination from medical providers, denial of services from government entities, and continued targeting by law enforcement. The ramifications of stigma in care environments are manifold and further compound the opioid crisis. During this workshop participants will explore personal biases related to opioid use and the way that these emerge in language, the ramifications of stigma against people who use drugs and how to create an affirming environment that will enhance care for people who use drugs. Registration fee includes a light lunch. Early bird fee $35.00 if you pay by April 23, 2019.