Krotulski AJ
Association of Public Health Labs (APHL) Webinar SeriesExploring the Intersection of Forensic Testing and Public Health Collaboration for Overdose Prevention
Part 2: Harm Reduction Initiatives
Description:
Featuring nine experts from both forensic science and public health fields, this series will highlight collaborative relationships between public health and forensic agencies that help to inform data-driven decision making for drug surveillance and overdose prevention. Attendees will develop an understanding of how substance use disorders impact both public health and forensic science, how collaborative relationships between public health and forensic laboratories assists with early detection of new drugs and/or drug trends, how laboratories can use knowledge gleaned from public health initiatives to drive scope updates and improve analytical capabilities, and how public health and forensic laboratory work informs downstream public health action.
This webinar will introduce harm reduction initiatives like needle-exchange and drug checking programs, and will discuss their utility in informing both public health and forensic practice.
Objectives:
At the conclusion of this program, the participant will be able to:
1. Describe how drug checking services provide assist with early detection of new drugs and adulterants appearing on the illicit drug market
2. Explain challenges for public health and forensic laboratories associated with changing drug market trends
3. Discuss how information gleaned from these programs can drive improvements of analytical capabilities in forensic and public health laboratories
PLATFORM PRESENTATION
