Tomorrow's Drugs: Emerging Substances of Abuse

Individuals working in the substance abuse field need to be equipped with the latest high-quality, evidence-based information regarding emerging drugs of abuse. In this workshop, you examine forces driving the evolution of these drugs and review the programs and tools being used to monitor and treat their use and abuse. The specific drugs that are discussed include newly synthesized opioids, fentanyl and fentanyl analogs, cathinones, synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic hallucinogens. You examine the epidemiology, community impact, synthesis and production, and mechanism of action of these substances. You also review the medical and psychiatric consequences of their use and the populations that are particularly affected by these drugs. You also learn the most effective ways of assessing misuse and identifying the most effective and appropriate treatment approaches.