News

University of Pittsburgh Nursing Anesthesia Student utilizes OPEN Materials as part of DNP Project

Over the past year, Registered Nurse and current Nursing Anesthesia student at the University of Pittsburgh Courtney Tague utilized two OPEN brochures as a part of her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project. Her project, titled “Preoperative Education and Confidence and Knowledge Regarding Postoperative Pain Control in Patients Undergoing Elective General Surgery,” looked at how […]

Michigan Pain Consultants Clinic Closure

Dear OPEN Community, It has come to our attention that Michigan Pain Consultants, a large pain management group with multiple practices in West Michigan, has filed for bankruptcy and will be closing in August 2024. This closure will increase demand for complex pain management services from primary care clinicians in the region. The Overdose Prevention […]

Newsletter Summer 2024: News, Resources, Events and More!

Happy summer 2024! We are thrilled to have you join us as we share exciting updates, valuable resources, and upcoming events. Clinicians, do you ever wish you could ‘phone a friend’ for advice when dealing with challenging situations related to substance use? OPEN offers FREE same day clinician-to-clinician consultation services. As one of the on-call […]

Updates and News Stories: Summer 2024 Newsletter

Hello, Happy summer 2024! We are thrilled to have you join us as we share exciting updates, valuable resources, and upcoming events. Clinicians, do you ever wish you could ‘phone a friend’ for advice when dealing with challenging situations related to substance use? OPEN offers FREE same day clinician-to-clinician consultation services. As one of the […]

OPEN Team Attends 2024 Rx Summit

This past April, team members visited Atlanta, Georgia for the 2024 Rx and Illicit Drug Summit. The Rx Summit is the largest national collaboration for professionals from local, state, and federal organizations to gather and discuss the impact of the drug epidemic. Attendees can collaborate and learn in multiple ways, including visiting exhibitor booths, viewing […]

OPEN, Safe Rx Partner to Provide Locking Pill Vials to Community Organizations

Throughout 2023, OPEN began distributing Safe Rx Locking Pill Vials (LPVs) to conference attendees as a way to promote safe storage of medications. It became clear very quickly that there was a need, and demand, from community members and organizations alike for resources like this. To get LPVs into the hands of more people, OPEN […]

There’s a proven way to help kick opioids. Not enough in Michigan use it – Bridge Michigan

INKSTER — Ten brown metal folding chairs sat empty; a package of bottled water and a stack of Allison Herrst’s opioid recovery brochures remained untouched. It was a Thursday afternoon, and the fourth consecutive time nobody showed up for a meeting to start a new chapter of Medication-Assisted Recovery Anonymous, or MARA — an international support group […]

Take A.C.T.I.O.N. Naloxone Training Travels to Community High School for First All-Teen Training

On Wednesday, April 10th, Dr. Gina Dahlem, Clinical Associate Professor at University of Michigan School of Nursing, brought the Take A.C.T.I.O.N. Naloxone In-Person Training to Community High School, where a group of students grades 9-12 gathered together to learn about the importance of carrying naloxone.  Students discussed a variety of topics, including how the drug […]

OPEN Updates: Spring 2024 Newsletter!

Happy Spring! We are thrilled to have you join us as we share exciting updates, valuable resources, and upcoming events. In this Spring 2024 edition, you can expect to find exclusive content and peek into what’s in store for our organization. As we continue to grow and evolve, we are committed to keeping you informed […]

Painless: The Opioid Musical Tours in Fall 2023; Schedules Spring 2024 Tour

Creation of Painless: The Opioid Musical started after Dr. Chad Brummett, Co-Director of OPEN, presented to a group of high school health policy students and asked them who could go home and easily get their hands on unused opioids within an hour. To his surprise, 75% of the students raised their hands. On his drive […]

A New OPEN: The Overdose Prevention Engagement Network

OPEN + MOC: One team, moving forward.  This year, the Opioid Prescribing Engagement Network and the Michigan Opioid Collaborative have integrated to create the Overdose Prevention Engagement Network (OPEN). The new OPEN will focus on supporting community and healthcare organizations through the key pillars of prevention, treatment, and recovery. “The integration of our two teams […]

OPEN Sees Big Successes at the Fall 2023 Take Back Event

The Overdose Prevention Engagement Network (OPEN) has been collaborating with communities and helping organize Take Back Events since 2019. With nearly 5 years of Take Back Events under our belt, this most recent event, which was held on October 28th, has been one of our most successful yet, setting multiple milestone achievements.  “In Fall 2023, […]