Substance Use Disorders
January 9, 2026 -
 September 18, 2026
Select Fridays
12:00 PM -
 1:00 PM

Next Series: Planning Underway for January 2026

The SUD ECHO team is actively finalizing the advanced curriculum and session schedule. Full details and registration will be available soon!

The landscape of substance use treatment is constantly evolving, driven by the emergence of high-potency synthetic opioids (HPSOs) and the prevalence of complex polysubstance use. To maintain clinical effectiveness, healthcare providers must rapidly adapt their strategies. This advanced Project ECHO series, led by experts from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and Rowan Medicine, provides the critical, evidence-based training needed to manage patients in this dynamic environment.

This series goes beyond foundational knowledge. We offer a safe space for interprofessional teams to engage in collaborative, case-based learning, focusing on the sophisticated application of Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) in complex scenarios. The curriculum integrates clinical best practices through five dedicated Simulation Lab sessions, providing hands-on experience in high-acuity interventions like overdose response and transitions of care.

Join us to gain valuable insights into preventing and managing complications related to the evolving drug supply (including Xylazine and Fentanyl), addressing co-occurring mental health disorders, and developing team-based advocacy strategies to dismantle systemic barriers to integrated, equitable SUD care. By equipping yourself with these advanced tools, you can significantly enhance patient outcomes and support sustained recovery.

Series Leaders

SUD Sessions

  • Petros Levounis, MD, MA, Professor and Chair, Department of Psychiatry, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
  • Mannet Dhaliwal, MD, Psychiatry Resident, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
  • Lisa Lawson, MSW, MBA, LCSW, CCS, CEO & Psychotherapist, New Jersey Clinical Consulting 

 

MAT Sessions

  • Clement Chen, PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist/Academic Detailer, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
  • La-Tricia Gordon, RN, CARN, CALA/Academic Detailer, Department of Psychiatry, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
  • Caitlin O’Neill, Community Drug Checking Technician, New Jersey Harm Reduction Coalition

 

SIM Sessions

  • Les Barta, MPA Director, Simulation Technology Program, Rutgers Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy 
  • Clement Chen, PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist/Academic Detailer, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
  • La-Tricia Gordon, RN, CARN, CALA/Academic Detailer, Department of Psychiatry, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
  • Caitlin O’Neill, Community Drug Checking Technician, New Jersey Harm Reduction Coalition

Learning Objectives

After participating in ECHO, providers will be able to:

  • Demonstrate a thorough understanding of screening, management, and treatment modalities for substance use disorders (SUD) within primary care settings   
  • Apply evidence-based practices to effectively initiate and integrate SUD treatment into primary care, enhancing patient outcomes 
  • Utilize strategies to foster a stigma-free and supportive environment that promotes compassionate care for patients with substance use disorders 
  • Identify and connect patients with appropriate community resources to support their recovery journey and enhance their access to care.   

Continuing Education Accreditation

To view the CE Accreditation for CME, CNE, CPE, Licensed and Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselors, Certified Recovery Support Practitioners, and Social Work credits, click here.

  • Continuing Education (CE) certificates will only be issued with the completion of the following surveys:
    • Initial Pre-Series Assessment
    • Post-Session Survey for each session attended
    • Post-Series Assessment after the series concludes

 

Additional Information

Sessions

The Evolving Drug Supply: Identifying and Managing Emerging Adulterants
Friday • January 09, 2026
12:00 PM
- 1:00 PM
Navigating Housing Insecurity as a Barrier to SUD Treatment
Friday • January 23, 2026
12:00 PM
- 1:00 PM
Overdose Prevention and Post-Overdose Engagement
Friday • February 06, 2026
12:00 PM
- 1:00 PM
SIM - Overdose Response in the Evolving Drug Supply
Friday • February 13, 2026
12:00 PM
- 1:00 PM
Legal and Policy Obstacles in Accessing SUD Care
Friday • February 20, 2026
12:00 PM
- 1:00 PM
Clinical Use of Buprenorphine in the Age of HPSOs
Friday • March 06, 2026
12:00 PM
- 1:00 PM
Building Cross-Sector Systems of Care for People with SUD
Friday • March 20, 2026
12:00 PM
- 1:00 PM
Clinical Use of Methadone in the Age of HPSOs
Friday • April 10, 2026
12:00 PM
- 1:00 PM
SIM- Buprenorphine Initiation in the Evolving Drug Supply
Friday • April 17, 2026
12:00 PM
- 1:00 PM
Tailoring SUD Screening and Treatment Through a Racial and Cultural Equity Lens
Friday • April 24, 2026
12:00 PM
- 1:00 PM
Managing Stimulant Use in the Age of HPSOs
Friday • May 01, 2026
12:00 PM
- 1:00 PM
SIM - Overcoming Ambivalence Through Motivational Interviewing
Friday • May 08, 2026
12:00 PM
- 1:00 PM
Inclusive Approaches to SUD Care for LGBTQ+ Communities
Friday • May 15, 2026
12:00 PM
- 1:00 PM
Regulatory Updates on MOUD Prescribing
Friday • June 05, 2026
12:00 PM
- 1:00 PM
Best Practices for Treating SUD in Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period
Friday • June 26, 2026
12:00 PM
- 1:00 PM
Bridging Levels of Care: Supporting Transitions of Care for People with SUD
Friday • July 10, 2026
12:00 PM
- 1:00 PM
Reducing Stigma and Implicit Bias in SUD Clinical Care
Friday • July 24, 2026
12:00 PM
- 1:00 PM
SIM - De-Escalation in the Clinical Setting
Friday • July 31, 2026
12:00 PM
- 1:00 PM
Story Exchanges: Building Empathy and Connection in SUD Care
Friday • August 07, 2026
12:00 PM
- 1:00 PM
SIM - Discussing Harm Reduction Topics with Patients and Families
Friday • August 14, 2026
12:00 PM
- 1:00 PM
Communication Strategies That Improve Engagement and Treatment Retention in SUD Care
Friday • August 21, 2026
12:00 PM
- 1:00 PM
Open Doors, Open Minds: Dismantling Systemic Barriers to SUD Treatment
Friday • September 04, 2026
12:00 PM
- 1:00 PM
Creating Stigma-Resistant SUD Care Environments Through Policy and Workflow Design
Friday • September 18, 2026
12:00 PM
- 1:00 PM