Email UpdatesAccessing effective substance use disorder (SUD) care in rural and remote areas can feel like a steep uphill climb, but innovative providers are paving new pathways to meet people where they live. Join the National Council for Mental Wellbeing for a dynamic conversation showcasing two groundbreaking leaders in rural SUD care who are breaking barriers to provide life-saving support in the most challenging settings.
John Solomon, CEO of the Alaska Behavioral Health Association, will share his experiences flying by bush plane to deliver therapy and SUD treatment to remote Arctic villages, demonstrating the power of human connection in the face of geographic isolation.
James Wilson, Harm Reduction Specialist at the California Department of Public Health, will highlight how vending machines are transforming access to naloxone, syringes and other critical resources in California’s Sierra Nevada region, offering a low-barrier model for fair health outcomes.
This session will explore the role of telehealth, culturally responsive approaches, and novel technologies in expanding care to the hardest-to-reach populations. Providers, policymakers, and advocates will leave this session inspired by the creative solutions reshaping rural SUD care.