MIMH Addiction Science

We're hiring! The Addiction Science Team at UMSL-MIMH is looking for an Overdose Prevention Supply Distribution Specialist to join our statewide overdose prevention efforts. In this full-time role, you'll assemble and distribute naloxone kits, drug checking supplies, wound care kits, and other critical supplies to organizations and communities across Missouri.

This position offers a competitive hourly rate, full University of Missouri benefits, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, paid time off, paid parental leave, and educational fee discounts across all four UM System campuses. Use the link in our bio to apply!

Recently, Greg Boal, EMT-P, MPA and Morgan Farnworth, PhD, MPA from our UMSL-MIMH Addiction Science team presenting about our model at the conference. Borrowed from the Cardiac Chain Of Survival, this framing effectively and efficiently teaches first responders the key sequence of actions to revive and stabilize those in the midst of an opioid overdose 🛟🙌

What a great weekend at Tower Grove Pride! 🏳️‍🌈

Our Addiction Science team had a table at , where we shared free naloxone and overdose prevention resources with our community. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to chat, pick up supplies, and learn how to save a life.

Anyone can carry naloxone, and anyone can save a life. Request free naloxone at getmissourinaloxone.com.

Where you live should never determine your access to recovery support. Expanding recovery resources in rural communities helps ensure everyone has a path forward.

Not all recovery housing supports residents on medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD/MAT), even though access to both can be life-saving.

To understand what gets in the way, the ASPIRE Lab within the Addiction Science Team surveyed 145 housing operators and 250 residents across 25 states. The barriers came down to two things: attitudes (beliefs like "you should only stay on MOUD short-term") and organizational capacity (staff burden, care coordination, safe storage, training).

So we built the RHB-MAT! The first validated measure of attitudinal and capacity barriers to MOUD in recovery housing, and the first to capture how those barriers differ across methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone.

Today we're launching a new Measures & Tools page where you can find it all in one place: the fillable measure, the visual research brief, and the full publication. Free to use. click here: https://mimhaddisci.org/ourtools our use the "Our Tools" Link in our bio.

Identifying the real obstacles for providers enables more targeted training, support, and investment.

Check out our recent article, "Developing a Culturally Grounded Social-Ecological Model of Cannabis Norms and Use Among Black Adolescents: A Qualitative Study," on the cultural and contextual factors shaping cannabis use among Black adolescents.

Frequent cannabis use among Black adolescents has risen disproportionately, yet the norms behind it remain understudied in part because most models of adolescent substance use are Euro-centric and overlook race-related factors.

To help close that gap, we interviewed Black adolescents (ages 14–19) who use cannabis and built a culturally centered, social-ecological model of what drives their use.

Findings:
- Cannabis was seen as common, safer than harder drugs, and culturally accepted or even expected within the Black community
- Parental permissiveness and easy access were key drivers, with many introduced to cannabis by parents, older relatives, and peers
- Socialization extended beyond parents and peers to cousins, romantic partners, and friends' parents, agents often missing from existing research

Read more here: https://doi.org/10.1177/00914509261465890

Authors: Kanila L. Brown, Kaytryn D. Campbell, Rachel P. Winograd & Devin E. Banks

The UMSL–MIMH Addiction Science Team is at the Missouri Behavioral Health Conference ( ) this week! One of our Overdose Prevention Coordinators, Don is tabling today through Friday. Stop by our table for free naloxone and other free resources.

We made it to the MCRSP Conference! 🎉

The Addiction Science Team had a great time connecting with Missouri's recovery community at our resource table. Huge thanks to everyone who stopped by to say hi and check out our tools and resources and to Lindsey and Zach for holding down the table.

Grateful to have been in the room with so many people doing this work. Until next time!

August has been Overdose Awareness Month and today, on International Overdose Awareness Day, we remember everyone we've lost and stand with the families and communities still carrying that grief.
Awareness has to lead to action. Overdose is preventable, and carrying naloxone is one of the simplest ways to save a life. Carry naloxone. Save a life. Missourians can get it free at GetMissouriNaloxone.com.