TouroCOM - Harlem's First Annual Addiction Awareness Program for Medical Students

Sponsored by Student Organizations: SSP, RHC, PsychSIG, SIGN and Path Club

The goal of this program is to raise awareness among medical students to the commonality of addiction, specifically among students and healthcare professionals. We plan to meet the morning of Friday March 13th 2015. The event will last approximately 3 hours. We would love to have you join us for this new and revolutionary program.

Part 1- Open Meeting: This will involve an “alcoholic/narcotics anonymous” style meeting where physicians in recovery will discuss their personal experiences with substance abuse and recovery. Students, faculty and staff will be invited as observers to learn about the process/ procedures and styles of such meetings, as well as to gain awareness of the reality of healthcare professionals dealing with substance abuse issues.

Part 2 – Lecture: Dr. Robert Wiesen, a physician as well as a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor will lecture on his own personal recovery, the potential risk of drug and alcohol abuse by medical students and physicians, and the support available for physicians and students in need of treatment.

Part 3- Narcan (SKOOP) Training: This will involve a certification, available for all, on how to administer Narcan/Naloxone (either intramuscular or intranasal) and discussions on how to recognize opiate overdose and be able to effectively provide aid outside of a hospital setting.

According to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, opioid overdose deaths (specifically Heroin) made up 54 percent of the 720 total overdose fatalities in 2013 with ages 15 to 34 seeing a 129 percent increase. As such, all people affiliated with Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in Harlem should be familiar with The SKOOP Training and general addiction awareness.