The New England ATTC in partnership with RICARES is providing a basic/universal TA session titled "Politics Versus Policy": Qualitative Insights on Stigma and Overdose Prevention Center Policymaking in the United States on 6/27/24 from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM. Overdose prevention centers (OPCs) have been shown by research data to help to prevent overdoses, but governments and policymakers across the US have expressed uncertainty about allowing these centers to open and operate. Researchers looked at how stigma affects rulemaking around OPCs by interviewing key informants in the area of OPC policy in several US states. These states went through different processes in creating policies related to OPCs and researchers found that these processes were affected by stigma against OPCs, people who use drugs, and harm reduction. Stigma came from politicians, media, institutions, and members of the public. Based on these findings, researchers believe that it is important to understand stigma and how it impacts policymaking with respect to OPCs at various stages and how destigmatizing interventions can be used to promote OPCs and other harm-reduction efforts in the US. Register now!!

Article link:  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36403456/