Plenary Sessions

OPENING PLENARY-A: The Fierce Urgencies of Now! Changing the Conversation about The Role of Prevention, Commercialization and Inequity in a Time of National Crisis*

Presenter: Carlton Hall, MHS

Session Format: In-Person & Virtual Students 

Description: The role of prevention is critical in addressing addiction, which is directly and indirectly, impacting all Americans from coast to coast. The cost of Marijuana use is high. But it’s not that simple. Communities are still in the midst of an opioid epidemic, while addressing emerging challenges like rising vaping injuries and a meth resurgence, during a global pandemic. 

This session will discuss poly-drug misuse, racial disparities, and other social factors. The implications of creating an inequity among those who misuse, seek recovery and are exposed to the emerging commercialism 

The presenter will reframe perceived “gaps in the national conversation” as opportunities to change the conversation and offer “strategies” as critical skills required to specifically impact population-level reductions in polysubstance misuse and abuse with scale and scope in diverse communities. 

Objectives:

1. Understand the importance of addressing vulnerable populations 
2. Define behavioral health disparities 
3. The relationship between polysubstance misuse and youth
4. Understand the relationship between commercialization and marijuana myths/dangers 
5. Understand the importance of equitable engagement.  

*Session is available to Virtual Students.

(Sponsored by: Carlton Hall Consulting, LLC)

CONCURRENT PLENARY-B: Neuroarchitecture of Family Systems: All Human Beings are Chemically Dependent*

Presenter: Ward Blanchard, MFT, MBA, CCS, LCAS

Description: The concept of how mental illness and/or SUDs “impacts the whole family” is a common therapeutic ideal most professionals have heard before;  however, the professional community is rarely provided the information and education on the neurological changes identified patients, families, loved ones, or other caregivers experience when involved in a relationship with someone suffering from a mental illness or substance use disorder.  Ward Blanchard’s presentation reviews the most up-to-date neurological findings in helping professionals understand what exactly the words “family system disease” means, what evidence based treatment options are most effective, and what role professionals play in the treatment of the family.

• Attendees will learn the neuroscience involved with substance abuse, identified patients, and family members
• Attendees will understand how symptoms appear in family system
• Attendees will learn effective, evidence-based treatment approaches for treatment and communication with Family system
• Attendees will absorb:  What are the roles of the professional with clients and families?
• Attendees will experience and learn exercises and activities they can employ with clients to help clients better understand family system recovery.

*Session is available to Virtual Students.

(Sponsored by The Blanchard Institute)

CONCURRENT PLENARY-C: Reentry: Challenges and Opportunities

Presenter: Roshanna Parker, MS

Description: This session will focus on the challenges that justice involved individuals face when returning to the community from incarceration and while under community supervision. The presentation will highlight the challenges clients have experienced at the local level and the opportunities that have been created through partnerships with non-profit organizations, local government and state government.

LUNCHEON PLENARY-D: Substance Use Disorders in Challenging, Changing Times*

Presenter: James Campbell, LPC, LAC, MAC, CACII

Description: Substance Use Disorders are challenging to navigate in even the best of times.  When circumstances are changing and uncertain, however, they pose some significant, unique challenges.   During this season of monumental shifts and transitions, substance use and substance use disorders have been and will be impacted.  This session will briefly explore some of the unique challenges we currently face, how past substance use responses to crisis can inform our current circumstances, and the responses of the prevention, treatment, and recovery communities as we all seek to adjust to the changing times in which we are serving.

Objectives:

1. Identify the impact of stress on substance use and substance use disorders
2. Verbalize how substance use has been impacted by times of crisis in the past
3. Discuss how our current circumstances have impacted SUD prevention, treatment, and recovery services.

*Session is available to Virtual Students.

(Sponsored by: Southeast Addiction Technology Transfer Center)

CONCURRENT PLENARY-E: The Impact of Collegiate Recovery in North Carolina

Presenter: Chris Campau, MPH

Description: This session will provide a base knowledge of collegiate recovery; the history, purpose, and how it fits into the continuum of care. Furthermore, it will give an overview of North Carolina programs, and how to locate them and make proper referrals. Furthermore, it will discuss the unique issues students face with the return to campus amidst Covid-19.

Objectives:

• Participants will be able to accurately describe collegiate recovery and how it plays into a campus and community culture.
• Participants will be able to recognize the challenges of Covid-19 on young adults, and some of the behavioral health implications they had to endure.
• Participants will be able to find and utilize collegiate recovery programs/resources and be able to make accurate referrals.

(Sponsored by Addiction Professionals of NC)

CONCURRENT PLENARY-F: Marijuana: Updates & Lessons Learned*

Presenters: Anna Godwin, LCAS, CPS; and Erin J. Day, BS/BA

Description: During this training updates will be provided regarding marijuana policy both at a state and federal level and possible implication for NC. We will explore marijuana policy from three other states and discuss lessons that NC can take away.

Objectives:

1. Participants will be able to identify marijuana policy recommendations that have been made by the Task Force for Racial Equity in Criminal Justice  task force in the state of North Carolina.
2. Participants will be able to identify content of the MORE Act of 2019 as it relates to marijuana policy
3. Participants will be able to compare policies related to marijuana in states that have legalized.

*Session is available to Virtual Students.

LUNCHEON PLENARY-G: SAMHSA, SEATTC & SEPTTC: Working Together in the Southeast Region  of the USA*

Presenters: Captain Michael King, PhD, MSW; James Campbell, LPC, LAC, MAC, AADC; and Kristin Kidd, MA

Description: This session will discuss the working relationship between SAMHSA, SEATTC & SEPTTC, defining each agency, as well as the differences between each and their specific focus in the area of addictions and substance use disorders. Resources and benefits to professionals will also be examined.

*Session is available to Virtual Students.

CLOSING PLENARY-H: Building Resilience to Thrive*

Presenter: Tamra Jo Church, MAEd, MCHES^® 

Description: The past few years have been stressful, even traumatic for many, shedding light on the importance for each of us to prioritize building our own resiliency, not only to bounce back, but to thrive.  This presentation will introduce attendees to the Community Resiliency Model (CRM)^®, sharing a set of wellness skills based on emerging neuroscience to re-set the natural balance of the nervous system to bring a sense of calm to the mind, body, and spirit.  Attendees should come ready to engage, connect, and re-set.

Objectives:  

1. Explain common reactions resulting from adversity, trauma, and stress.
2. Identify practical wellness skills to cultivate resiliency.
3. Create a self-care plan to build resilience to thrive

*Session available to Virtual Students.