DETROIT —  The Michigan Public Health Institute (MPHI), the Southeast Michigan Alliance for Addiction-free Communities (SEMAAC) coalition and the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network (DWIHN) are proud to collaborate to host the seventh annual Opioid and Substance Use Disorder Solutions Summit on July 25 at Laurel Manor Conference & Banquet Hall in Livonia.

This year’s Summit will provide a unique opportunity for employers to engage with health professionals to build connections, learn and strategize on collaborations to help in prevention, treatment and recovery efforts. It is estimated that nearly 73 percent of Michigan’s population reported a current or previous drug or alcohol problem and are in recovery according to 2018-2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data.

In 2019, the estimated total cost of substance use disorder (SUD) in Michigan was $113 billion (estimate data based on a national analysis published as a gray paper by the Recovery Centers of America and survey data published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency).

Through partnerships and innovative outreach, organizations can work together to reach and support more individuals who need help and who are supporting others impacted by a SUD.

“We believe that now more than ever there is an imperative to approach prevention, treatment and recovery in new ways that are supportive, collaborative, innovative and culturally responsive,” MPHI Chief Executive Officer Dr. Renee Canady said in a press release. “This summit is a vital, cross disciplinary setting for authentic partnership and co-creation. We are confident that the power of employers, including managers and HR professionals, law enforcement, social workers and others in collaboration with health care professionals can result in the cultivation of environments that effectively support the people who need it most.”

The summit takes place in person, but there will also a virtual option. The theme, “Creating Supportive Environments for Prevention, Treatment and Recovery” aligns with a broader community geographically and professionally. New to this year’s summit are the dual learning tracks:

• Creating and Supporting Recovery Friendly Workplaces
• Collaborating to Support Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery.

“DWIHN is proud to be a partner with MPHI and SEMAAC on such an important discussion,” said DWIHN CEO and President Eric Doeh. “These conversations are so critical for the health and recovery of our communities and we want people to know and understand that there is a whole support system out there for anyone needing help with treatment, recovery and prevention services.”

This year’s speakers include Ryan Bowman, with the Workforce Recovery Program, Kentucky Chamber Foundation; John Wilson, market president of Kentucky Addiction Recovery Care (ARC); Jared Welehodsky JD, state assistant administrator at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Andrea Taverna, senior advisor to the deputy mayor, city of Detroit.

This year’s event is supported by many organizations, including the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and associate sponsors: Wellness Works, Delta Dental, Skywood Recovery, Orchard Laboratories and Molina Health.

Sponsorships are still available.

For more information, to view the full agenda and to register: https://www.eventsquid.com/event.cfm?event_id=19914

The MPHI is a Michigan-based, non-profit public health institute leading public health efforts across the country. Our mission is Working Together to Center Equity, Promote Health and Advance Well-being.

Our broad network of partners includes academia, government, community-based organizations and healthcare providers. These connections empower us to develop solutions to a wide range of challenges. Learn more about our work by visiting www.MPHI.org. DWIHN is the largest and most diverse Community Mental Health safety net in the State serving 75,000 people with mental illness, substance use, intellectual and developmental disabilities and children with serious emotional disturbance and works with over 300 provider partners.