Dear colleagues,
We are delighted to invite you to the upcoming conference, “Liberating Methadone: Building a Roadmap and Community for Change.” The conference will be hosted by the NYU Center for Opioid Epidemiology and Policy in New York City on September 21st and 22nd of 2023. We are excited to be partnering with community groups including the National Survivors Union and National Coalition to Liberate Methadone to deliver this conference.
This conference aims to bring together members from various backgrounds to discuss and exchange ideas on how to improve access to and use of methadone to reduce the harms of opioid use. Our goal is to break down traditional barriers between researchers, clinicians, policy makers and people who use drugs and to create a shared space for collective understanding. Conference proceedings will be gathered to generate a report with actionable recommendations for policy and clinical practice.
This two day conference can be attended in person or virtually via a webinar.
Overview of agenda:
*asterisks represent sessions that can be attended virtually
Day 1: Thursday, September 21st
- Welcome and conference introduction
- Panel 1: Gaps and opportunities in methadone research*
- Open session: Conducting community engaged research on substance use*
- Skills-building workshops (break out group activity): Using our collective voices to influence change in substance use treatment policies and practices
- Poster presentation and reception: Innovations in methadone programs, advocacy and research
Day 2: Friday, September 22nd
- Panel 2: How did we get here?: The history of methadone treatment in the U.S.*
- Panel 3: Where are we now?: What have we learned from COVID-19 and what remains to be done?*
- Panel 4: A chance for change: Where could we go from here?*
- Generating recommendations for policy and practice (break out group activity)
- Closing remarks and next steps
Due to limited conference capacity, we recommend registering for the conference as soon as possible if in person attendance is preferred. Individuals or groups who submit abstracts for poster sessions will be prioritized for in-person attendance.
Please contact Caroline Barnes if you have any questions about conference registration.
Abstract Submissions
We welcome abstract submissions in the following categories:
- Reports from the Community
- Research & Policy
- Other relevant topics related to methadone
The deadline for abstract submissions is July 17th, 2023 5:00pm EST
Travel Awards
Travel awards are available to help cover travel costs. People with lived/living experience with methadone use and members of other minoritized groups will be prioritized for these awards.
The deadline to submit travel award applications is July 17th, 2023 5:00pm EST
Please contact Paul Joudrey if you have any questions about abstract or travel award submissions or need submission advice.
We look forward to your participation in this exciting event, and we hope that together, we can advance our understanding of the use of methadone to reduce harms from opioid use and make strides towards liberating methadone.
Sincerely,
Paul Joudrey, MD MPH
Funding for this conference was made possible by the Pew Charitable Trusts with support from Bloomberg Philanthropies, Vital Strategies, and an R13 DA058520 from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies or views of the funders or the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention by trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
