Massachusetts Health Policy Forum

Addressing the Opioid Crisis in Small and Rural Communities in Western Massachusetts

On Friday, September 6, 2019, “Addressing the Opioid Crisis in Small and Rural Communities in Western Massachusetts,” was held at the UMass Amherst Campus Center Auditorium. This forum focused on the numerous ways in which the opioid crisis has impacted Western Massachusetts, with particular attention paid to the social and economic consequences for small and rural communities. Unique challenges and innovative solutions were highlighted.

This work was supported through the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation, the University of Massachusetts Amherst School of Public Health and Health Sciences, RIZE Massachusetts Foundation, and Baystate Health.  The issue brief was produced in collaboration with the Brandeis-Harvard NIDA Center to Improve System Performance of Substance Use Disorder Treatment and the Opioid Policy Research Collaborative (OPRC).

A continental breakfast was served during registration between 8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

Agenda

Issue Brief

Constance M. Horgan, Sc.D. and Robert Bohler, MPH

Forum Recordings:

Introductions

Part 1: Research Panel

Part 2: Stakeholders Panel