The Evolving Overdose Crisis: Opportunities for Action
Home Study Webinar
$20 Activity Fee
Topic Designator: 01 – DSM/Drug Therapy | Credit: 1.5 contact hours Available through April 9, 2025
This session will delve into the current opioid epidemic landscape, how far we have come, and what is still needed in furtherance of public health protection. Experts will discuss the trends and opportunities that exist regarding prevention and harm reduction, such as the new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) prescribing guidelines for chronic pain, which are projected to decrease the number of patients who develop an opioid use disorder (OUD). Attendees will also learn about advances in treatment for those patients who are struggling with OUD, the associated stigma that may prevent them from obtaining the treatment they need, and how pharmacists can provide that treatment.
This home study webinar is a recording of the live activity that was held on May 19, 2022 and was sponsored by Rite Aid Corporation.
Presenters
Christopher Jones, MPH, PharmD, DrPH
Acting Director, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Christopher Jones currently serves as the acting director of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) at CDC. When not serving as the acting director, Dr Jones serves as the deputy director of NCIPC, where he is the primary scientific advisor on science issues in public health, clinical care implementation, epidemiology, biostatistics, economics, and behavioral science. Prior to becoming deputy director, Dr Jones served as associate director of the NCIPC Office of Strategy and Innovation.
Prior to joining CDC, Dr Jones served as the first director of the National Mental Health and Substance Use Policy Laboratory at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Prior to SAMHSA, he served as acting associate deputy assistant secretary for science and data policy and director of the Division of Science Policy in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation at the United States Department of Health and Human Services. During his career, Dr Jones has served as senior advisor in the Office of the Commissioner at Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and led CDC’s drug abuse and overdose activities. In addition, he was detailed to the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy as the senior public health advisor, led FDA’s Drug Safety and Risk Communication team, and served on the Science Team in CDC’s Strategic National Stockpile.
He received a bachelor of science degree from Reinhardt College, a doctor of pharmacy degree from Mercer University, a master of public health degree from New York Medical College, and a doctor of public health degree in health policy from the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health.
Jake Nichols, MBA, PharmD
Co-founder, President, and CEO, Renovo Health
Jake Nichols is the co-founder, president, and CEO of Renovo Health, which offers key stakeholders evidence‐based tools and support to enhance patient outcomes. He is a pharmacist in long‐term recovery with extensive experience in community pharmacy, academia, primary care, managed care, and pharmaceutical industry. He specializes in the treatment of substance use disorders, with a focus on medication for addiction treatment. He speaks regularly at conferences across the country, highlighting his experiences as a patient, along with the importance and value of treatment. Through his 15‐year struggle with substance use, Dr Nichols found his calling in the field and has dedicated his career to helping patients and their families suffering from this debilitating chronic disease. By providing clinical support for clinicians treating patients with substance use disorder and serving as a vocal advocate for treatment, he has established himself as a key resource within the field. Dr Nichols has shared the story of his own struggles with addiction at well over 200 pharmacy, nursing, and medical schools across the country. He also regularly facilitates patient and parent support groups.
He received his doctor of pharmacy degree from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy in 2000 and his master’s degree in business administration from UMass Boston in 2007.
