Photo courtesy of: OUSDr. Lyn O'Connell of the Marshall University Wellness Center's SBIRT initiative presented to a near-capacity crowd.

As the region works to overcome the effects of the opioid crisis, Ohio University Southern is working to provide new strategies in the community. One step toward that goal involved a training session on Sept. 21, on the topic of SBIRT, or Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment.

SBIRT is a nationally-recognized research-based strategy to assist individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) in finding treatment or access to resources to aide in their recovery.

Dr. Lyn O'Connell of the Marshall University Wellness Center's SBIRT initiative presented to a near-capacity crowd. Participants were engaged in the content and came away with new information to assist in their work with persons seeking treatment or in other aspects of personal life impacted by someone with SUD caused by opioid or other drug addiction.

The training participants included counselors, social workers, law enforcement officers, criminal justice workers, educators, health care providers and community members, all seeking information on how best to assist someone in finding treatment and regaining life.

The session was a collaboration of Ohio University Southern and the Marshall University SBIRT initiative.

Photo courtesy of: OUSDr. Lyn O'Connell