We will discuss the science behind why opioids are so addicting and what factors have contributed to the development of the opioid epidemic. We will examine the best practices for preventing and treating opioid use disorder and how integrating the legal and medical systems may help our communities.

This is the NINTH Webinar in a 16-webinar Series. Substance Use Disorders (SUD) are on the rise in America and are increasingly appearing in the courtroom no matter the case type. SUD not only impacts the individual suffering from it directly, it can negatively impact those who interact with them. Throughout this sixteen-part webinar series, judges will identify the neuroscience of underlying Substance Use Disorder, explore the science of specific substances that are used and abused including their effects on the brain and signs of impairment, identify skills to be applied in order to be more effective in dealing with SUDs in the courtroom, and explore the Judge’s role in problem solving, advocacy, and building community resources.