MAHEC #78332 Open

Emerging Substances and Over-the-Counter Drugs of Abuse: What We Know and How to Respond to Reduce Injury and Overdose

Register
Emerging Substances and Over-the-Counter Drugs of Abuse: What We Know and How to Respond to Reduce Injury and Overdose

Location

Live Webinar
Webex
Quiet Location with Reliable Internet Connectivity

Dates & Times

Aug 7, 2026 12:30 PM – Aug 21, 2026 1:30 PM

Contact

Do you have event related questions or need help with registration?

This two-part webinar series explores the evolving substance use landscape in Western North Carolina, with a focus on emerging substances and over-the-counter products associated with misuse. Topics include xylazine, kratom and its active metabolite 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), novel potent opioids, and other non-prescription substances increasingly encountered in clinical practice. Participants will examine patterns of use, overdose risks, and associated medical co-morbidities, including wound complications and infectious diseases. The series emphasizes patient-centered, low-barrier approaches to care, risk reduction strategies and medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), to support safer use, engagement in care, and improved health outcomes.

Session 1 - August 7, 2026, 12:30-1:30pm: Emerging and Over-the-Counter Substances: Xylazine, Kratom, 7-OH, and Novel Potent Opioids in WNC

Session 2 - August 21, 2026, 12:30-1:30pm: Clinical Implications and Care Strategies: Improved Safety, MOUD, and Substance-Related Medical Co-Morbidities


MAHEC engages in evaluation activities to better understand the impact of our programs. By registering for this course, you agree that we may use your personal information in evaluative research regarding this program. Any reports published will be de-identified and reported in aggregate format.

By registering for this program, you are granting permission for your contact information to be shared with the NCDHHS Division of Public Health, supporters of this continuing education activity.
With support from


NC DHHS Division of Public Health

Audience

Opioid Response team members, EMS, county staff, Harm Reduction organizations, Health Departments, and Medical Providers

Objectives

At the conclusion of this two-part webinar series, participants will be able to:

check Identify emerging substances and over-the-counter products associated with misuse in Western North Carolina, including kratom, 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), xylazine, and novel potent opioids
check Recognize medical co-morbidities related to emerging and OTC substance use, including wound complications, infectious diseases, and overdose risk
check Apply evidence-based harm reduction strategies to support patient safety, education, and engagement across care settings
check Describe evolving substance use trends and clinical presentations associated with both illicit and non-prescription substances
check Discuss the role of low-barrier, patient-centered access to substance use disorder treatment and medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD)

Fees

Cancellation Policy

Free, but must register to attend

FREE

Available Credits

CEU .200

The Mountain Area Health Education Center designates this entire live continuing education activity as meeting the criteria for 0.20 CEUs as established by the National Task Force on the Continuing Education Unit.

Contact Hours 2.000

MAHEC designates this live continuing education activity as meeting the criteria for 2.00 Contact Hours.

Speakers

Carriedelle H. Fusco, RN, MSN, FNP-BC

Sessions

Emerging Substances and Over-the-Counter Drugs of Abuse: What We Know and How to Respond to Reduce Injury and Overdose (Two-Session Course)

8/7 12:30 PM – 8/21 1:30 PM

Additional Resources

Cancellation Policy

MAHEC has a pay-up-front policy for all CE programs. The only exceptions will be for pre-approved programs where an individual payment plan is appropriate. Registrations received without accompanying payment will not be processed and participants who have not paid the course fee will not be admitted into the program.

Unless otherwise noted in course materials, the following cancellation policy applies to all programs:

  • Cancellations must be in writing (fax, email, or mail).
  • Cancellations received more than two weeks prior to the event will receive 100% refund.
  • Cancellations received between two weeks and five full business days prior to the first day of the event are refunded at 70% of the registration fee subject to a minimum $25 cancellation fee.
  • No refunds or credits will be given for cancellations received less than five full business days prior to the event.
  • No vouchers will be issued in lieu of a refund.
  • Transfers/substitute(s) are welcome (please notify us in advance of the program).
Ready to continue your professional development? Register
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