The United States is currently experiencing weather and natural disasters at an unprecedented frequency and cost. Over the last five years, the US has experienced an average of more than 20 billion-dollar weather and natural disasters per year, leading directly to the deaths of nearly 2,000 people and upending the lives of millions more through forced evacuations, the destruction of housing, and interruption of access to a wide range of essential resources. These consequences are acutely felt by people who use drugs and people receiving treatment for substance use disorder (SUD),  for whom the sudden removal of services can disrupt years of progress towards improved health and stability and which can place them at significantly higher risk of infection, overdose, and death.

In this session, we will hear from direct service providers who all too frequently work at the intersections of climate and overdose crises about the lessons they’ve learned providing care under such uncertain circumstances, and what steps need to be taken to ensure access to evidence-based SUD treatment, syringe services, and a broader range of social safety net services for people who use drugs and people in recovery during weather and natural disasters.

Understand the ways in which weather and natural disasters negatively impact people who use drugs.
Analyze the real-world responses
Describe strategies to effectively partner with the populations you serve to provide disaster relief that reflects their stated needs.

An understanding of the extensive network of drug user health services impacted by weather and natural disasters and the unique obstacles people who use drugs face.
Lessons learned about how to effectively provide care for people who use drugs
A framework for analyzing the gaps in potential drug user health care where you live and how to engage with community and colleagues on strategies to address them.