To forward to colleagues or add to your newsfeed use this link: {View as Webpage} If you're reading but haven't subscribed, click the banner above to receive future issues.

More than $1.5 Billion Allocated for Opioid Response Programs, includes ORN

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, announced an allocation of more than $1.5 billion in funding awards for State Opioid Response and Tribal Opioid Response grants. This funding package includes the Opioid Response Network (ORN), demonstrating continued confidence in ORN’s ability to address local needs, develop workforce capacity and build sustainability.

For States and Tribal communities, it provides critical resources to address the overdose crisis through prevention, opioid overdose reversal medications, treatment and recovery support. Since the program began in 2018, states report that nearly 1.3 million people have received treatment services and nearly 1.5 million people have received recovery support services.

ORN Demonstrates Innovative Strategies Implemented from Grant Programs

To highlight common strategies and services states have implemented as a result of the grant program, ORN has developed a series of thematic briefs with partnering organization the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Agency Directors. Learn more about state opioid overdose response programs, services for veterans, initiatives for young adults, and innovations across the justice and re-entry continuum. Access here.

Contingency Management Training for American Indian and Alaska Native Communities

ORN Partner Organization Sponsor: Washington State University PRISM Collaborative

A new opportunity through ORN is providing free training and ongoing implementation support for contingency management (CM) to address stimulant use for Tribal Opioid Response (TOR) grantees and other interested American Indian/Alaska Native communities. Training for communities consists of a 10 module, self-paced overview of CM and ongoing coaching calls. Take note this training is for American Indian/Alaska Native communities. Share with your colleagues as appropriate. Interested parties should email prism.cm@wsu.edu. Learn more.

Report on 7-hydroxymitragynine: A High-Risk Supplement Marketed as Kratom

ORN Partner Organization Sponsor: American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT)

This new report from ACMT presents a case study about 7-hydroxymitragynine, which is a more potent semi-synthetic derivative of Kratom. Kratom is derived from a tree species native to Southeast Asia and utilized at low doses for its stimulant effects and at higher doses for its sedative and opioid-like effects. With its growing popularity, demand for its production has increased resulting in a wide range of products sold under the general label of “kratom.” As the report notes, this can mislead consumers, who may be unaware they are ingesting substances with different and potentially more potent clinical effects. Access here.

Upcoming ORN-Funded Webinars

The following trainings are sponsored by ORN partner organizations. They are free and available to all. Share these resources with your colleagues. A calendar of upcoming trainings can be found here. Follow us on LinkedIn for news in your feed.

The Stimulant Balance: Treating Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in the Context of Substance Use

Thursday October 2, 2025 12:00 - 1:00 PM ET

ORN Partner Organization Sponsor: Grayken Center for Addiction TTA at the Boston Medical Center

This training will provide participants with the tools for identifying ADD/ADHD among patients. Commonly used stimulant medications for treating ADD/ADHD will be covered, including their importance, potential side effects, and treatment considerations. Participants will gain tools for evaluating the effectiveness of ADHD treatment interventions. Register here.

HIV and Substance Use Disorders: Implications for Elder Populations

Friday October 3, 2025 12:00 - 1:00 PM ET

ORN Partner Organization Sponsor: National Alliance for HIV Education and Workforce Development (NAHEWD)

This webinar is part of NAHEWD's national series Bridging HIV and SUD: Innovations in the Field. The series is highlighting various innovative models and approaches to treating substance use disorder (SUD) in people at risk for and living with HIV. This webinar will explore the intersection of HIV and substance use disorders (SUD) in older adults. Participants will examine the unique challenges faced by this demographic, including stigma, healthcare access, and the impact of co-morbidities. Through case studies, discussions, and evidence-based research, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the implications for treatment, prevention, and support services tailored to the needs of older adults. Register here.

Chronic Pain: Treating the Long Game

Tuesday October 7, 2025 12:00 - 1:00 PM ET

ORN Partner Organization Sponsor: Grayken Center for Addiction TTA at the Boston Medical Center

This training will cover the impact of hyperalgesia and cross tolerance on chronic pain among patients with opioid dependence and/or who are on medications for opioid use disorder. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for chronic pain management will be discussed. Participants will acquire tools for identifying pain severity and evaluating opioid use disorder in patients on chronic opioid therapy. Register here.

Integrative Therapies for Pain

Tuesday October 14, 2025 3:00 - 4:00 PM ET

ORN Partner Organization Sponsor: Grayken Center for Addiction TTA at the Boston Medical Center

This training introduces evidence-based approaches that complement conventional pain management strategies. Participants will learn to incorporate at least two integrative therapies into a multimodal treatment plan to enhance patient outcomes. The training also explores common barriers to implementing these therapies in clinical settings and practical solutions to overcome them. This course supports a holistic, patient-centered approach to pain care. Register here.

orn@aaap.org

OpioidResponseNetwork.org

Funding for this initiative was made possible (in part) by grant no. 1H79TI088037 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.