Registration Options

Activity Dates: 04/30/2025 - 04/30/2028

Session Time and Location

Date: Wednesday, 04/30/2025

Time: 9:00 AM (view in the schedule)

Room: Regency-L4

Target Audience

If you are a pharmacist, nurse practitioner, or other health care professional involved in the comprehensive medication management of individuals living with mental health and/or substance use disorders, we invite you to participate in this online course.

Session Summary

This presentation will challenge traditional views on substance use and explore how shifting from a criminal justice approach to a public health model can transform patient care and community health outcomes. By examining global examples of decriminalization and its impact on health systems, we’ll uncover how these polices can reduce harm and improve access to treatment. Pharmacists will gain practical insights into how they can advocate for and contribute to more compassionate, effective strategies for managing substance use in their practice.

Course Requirements

To receive ACPE credit for this session, you must:

  • Sign in (or create a FREE account).
  • Register for this course.
  • Review the full content of the activity and reflect upon its teachings.
  • Complete the post-test at the end of the activity no later than the closing activity date.
  • Complete the evaluation at the end of the activity.
  • If necessary, complete the post-test retest no later than the closing activity date.
  • Receive a passing grade (70%).
  • Provide the necessary details in your profile to ensure correct reporting by AAPP to CPE Monitor.

Your ACPE credit will be submitted directly to CPE Monitor within 48 hours of successful completion of the exam and of the evaluation form if you have provided the relevant information in your profile.

Faculty Information

Jeffrey Bratberg, PharmD

View biographical information

Learning Objectives

  1. Discuss the implications of criminalizing drug use, including how it impacts patient and population health care and social drivers of health.
  2. Compare examples of decriminalization policy impact on public health and carceral systems from Portugal, Canada, and Oregon. 
  3. Identify ways pharmacy professionals can act to improve substance use treatment through decriminalization, harm reduction, health promotion, and advocacy.

Continuing Education Credit and Disclosures

Activity Dates: 04/30/2025 - 04/30/2028
ACPE Contact Hours: 1
ACPE Number: 0284-0000-25-021-H04-P (Knowledge)
Nursing Credit Reminder: Note that ACPE credit is accepted for ANCC Certification Renewal and AANPCB advanced practice provider content. For specific questions related to your organization's acceptance of ACPE continuing education units, please contact your organization directly.

ACPEThe American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.

View AAPP's Privacy Policy

AAPP owns the copyright, is licensed or has received permissions for use of, or is otherwise permitted to use copyrighted materials within any CPE activity. Authors and speakers are required to obtain necessary copyright permissions for content in CPE activities. AAPP complies with copyright laws and regulations.

Questions? Contact AAPP.