Registration Options

Activity Date: 04/30/2025

Session Time and Location

Date: Wednesday, 04/30/2025

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

Room: TBD

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.

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 Date: 04/30/2025
ACPE Contact Hours: 1
ACPE Number: 0284-0000-25-021-L04-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.

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