Opioid Addiction

Mason and Partner Clinics see 189% increase in appointments since 2018 and delivered $3.8 million in free services to the community

mthomp7 — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 13:14:41 +0000

Mason and Partner Clinics see 189% increase in appointments since 2018 and delivered $3.8 million in free services to the community mthomp7 Wed, 10/04/2023 - 09:14

Rebcca Sutter discusses the opioid services offered at the MAP Clinics with Representative Jennifer Wexton.

Empowered Communities Opioid Partnership extends Mason’s efforts to reduce overdoses for those involved in the criminal justice system

Rebecca Sutter, professor in the School of Nursing and director of the Mason and Partner Clinics also oversees the Empowered Communities Opioid Partnership (ECOP) – a $2.8 million initiative serving five local health districts (Prince William, Chesterfield, Crater, Portsmouth, and Norfolk) with the goal of reducing opioid-related overdose deaths, non-fatal overdoses, and adverse health consequences among those newly released from jail or prison.

“The chance of overdose or relapsing can be up to 129% higher in the two weeks after release, so we are committed to working with partners in the criminal justice and community-based systems of care to connect high-risk individuals quickly and with low barriers to the care they need,” said Sutter. ECOP has screened more than 950 patients to date and is looking at opening a dedicated Center in early 2024.

In This Story

Rebecca Sutter, DNP, APRN, BC-FNP

Mason and Partner Clinics see 189% increase in appointments since 2018 and delivered $3.8 million in free services to the community

Economic downturn and reductions in Medicaid coverage drive demand for free wellness, preventative, and COVID-related services.

For the past five years, the Mason and Partner (MAP) Clinics have filled an important gap in community health services. In close partnership with area health districts and other service providers, the MAP Clinics have responded to community need with increased accessibility, expanded services, and unwavering support.

During the COVID-19 pandemic alone, the nine MAP Clinics delivered more than 58,220 vaccines and 6,650 COVID tests – providing more than $3,800,000 in free services to the community. The pandemic not only increased demand for health care – it raised awareness about the valuable services offered by the MAP Clinics.

MAP Clinic faculty and staff built deep trust and relationships within the communities they serve – which created a natural place to seek care when economic challenges and/or Medicaid reductions adversely affected vulnerable populations. In addition, the MAP Clinics placed a greater emphasis on preventive care and education post-pandemic to help patients manage their health conditions before they become severe.

“To best meet the needs of the community, the MAP Clinics continually seek new collaborations and partnerships with grassroot community organizations and government agencies. With the deepening opioid crisis, we’ve expanded access for those suffering from this horrible disease through expansion of our Medication for Opioid Use clinics and have expanded our network of peer-recovery support specialists to further assist those struggling with addiction,” says Rebecca Sutter, professor in the School of Nursing and director of the Mason and Partner Clinics.

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Mason and Partners Clinic

Tackling Virginia’s Challenges

Colleen Rich — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 17:44:04 +0000

Tackling Virginia’s Challenges Colleen Rich Thu, 06/15/2023 - 13:44

��AV has long been adept at transforming scarce resources into measurable results, and that grit and perseverance are now being rewarded. Thanks to the efforts of two Virginia representatives and two U.S. Senators, Mason now has funding for five separate projects that address some of the state’s most urgent challenges.

U.S. Representative Gerry Connolly (D-VA) secured funding for projects focusing on cybersecurity and on mental health, while U.S. Representative Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) championed funding for projects that take on the opioid epidemic and tick-borne illnesses. U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) won funding for a unique tutor-to-teaching program that also combats pandemic-related declines in K-12 learning achievement. All of the funding comes as part of the federal omnibus appropriations bill that President Biden recently signed into law to fund the government through Fiscal Year 2023.

Such funding doesn’t just provide a financial boost. It’s recognition of the university’s reputation as a bold innovator, and a vote of confidence in our ability to push further with research and technologies that can have far-reaching benefits.

Connolly agrees, saying “��AV is a pillar of our community, but the effects of its world-class education and world-changing research can be felt throughout the country.”

Read on to find out more about the projects being funded and their anticipated impact on Virginia.

Securing the Nation’s Data

As technology quickly changes, the U.S. government similarly must adapt its systems and policies to ensure that the nation’s data and technology remain secure—and they will soon have a valuable partner in Mason.

47% of American adults have had their personal information exposed online by cybercriminals.

Mason is a leader in cybersecurity, with a program that is currently ranked No. 9 in the world, and a bachelor’s degree in cyber security engineering that was the first of its kind to be offered in the United States. That pioneering expertise will be put to use via the new Mason Center for Excellence in Government Cybersecurity Risk Management and Resilience, which will be supported by $1 million in federal funding secured by Connolly.

The center will act as a strategic partner in cybersecurity and IT modernization efforts through education and workshops for federal government IT and cybersecurity executives and middle managers. In developing and offering these resources, the center will also leverage Mason’s Institute for Digital Innovation (IDIA), to be housed within the new Fuse building at Mason Square, by leaning on IDIA’s deep interdisciplinary expertise across all facets of cybersecurity research, governance, policy, and education.

Amarda Shehu, associate vice president of research at IDIA and professor of computer science, will operate the center along with J. P. Auffret, director of research partnerships and grants initiatives in Mason’s School of Business and director of the Center for Assurance Research and Engineering.

With a 25-year history in government IT leadership and governance education, Mason is uniquely qualified to lead this effort. Connolly expressed optimism about the center, saying, “I can’t wait to see the results in action.”

Addressing Mental Health Care Needs

Of the pandemic’s many lasting effects on society, declining mental health and well-being are among the most critical, and youth are particularly susceptible. Federal statistics show that more than a third of young people in the United States have reported persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness, and suicide is the second-leading cause of death for those ages 10 to 24. In Virginia alone, 86 children in the state died by suicide in 2020.

50.6% increase in emergency department visits during the pandemic for youth suicide risk.

Thanks to nearly $1 million in federal funding won by Connolly, Mason will continue its existing efforts in addressing this mental health crisis through the Saving Lives and Decreasing Health Disparities project. The project aims to train community clinicians to serve diverse, low-income youth and families and provide access to low- to no-cost, culturally sensitive evidence-based assessments that can be easily implemented in community mental health settings.

The project leads—Mason psychology professor Christianne Esposito-Smythers and Psychology Department chair Keith Renshaw—hope to make a significant impact within the region. “This work is intended to increase the effectiveness of mental health services, reduce the likelihood of life-threatening behavior, and decrease the costs of care for our lowest-income youth and families,” Esposito-Smythers says.

Collaborating to Counter a Crisis

Already a crisis before the pandemic, the opioid epidemic has steadily worsened nationwide, with federal, state, and local officials reporting alarming spikes in drug overdoses.

80% increase in fatal opioid overdoses in Virginia between 2019 and 2021.

According to the most recent data from the Virginia Department of Health, fatal overdoses in the state from all substances increased by 69 percent between 2019 and 2021; fatal opioid overdoses increased by 80 percent. Nearly three quarters of all Virginia’s drug overdose deaths in 2020 involved fentanyl, an opioid that is more than 50 times more potent than heroin.

Continued isolation from the global pandemic, economic devastation, and disruptions to the drug trade have all fueled the surge. Large numbers of opioid overdose deaths have disproportionately been among those of less privileged socioeconomic status living in rural areas. State statistics also show that the formerly incarcerated who have substance abuse disorder are up to 129 times more susceptible to overdose in the first two weeks following their release.

Mason’s College of Public Health is well positioned to tackle these issues with their expertise in directly supporting health in surrounding communities. Now, with the help of federal funding won by Wexton, researchers at Mason will work to alleviate the substance abuse crisis via the future Empowered Communities Partnership Center.

With the one-time federal investment of $1,037,519, the center aims to coordinate care across systems of support and gather data to develop new models of community care to both prevent opioid overdoses and limit the burden to the state health care system.

Looping in existing Virginia statewide and local criminal justice and public health partners in a collaborative network will be key to the center’s work. There are additionally plans to expand the coordination of care for those with opioid use disorder reentering the community following their release from incarceration.

Mason nursing professor Rebecca Sutter, MSN ’01, DNP ’12, co-director of the Mason and Partners (MAP) Clinics and the Empowered Communities Program, will oversee the center. She emphasizes that Mason’s existing programs and community partnerships are foundational to the center.

“We are building upon our programs to expand our impact,” Sutter says. “This is a partnership center with the local community guiding its work while acting as a learning laboratory for the next generation of public health strategists and leaders.”

Taking on Ticks

Like many parts of the United States, Virginia is experiencing an increase in tick-borne illnesses, with particularly high numbers of confirmed cases in Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William, and Rappahannock counties. Left untreated, tick-borne infections can lead to chronic suffering, disability, and even death. Early diagnosis ensures patients receive appropriate treatment, but there is currently a shortage of adequate and accessible testing throughout Virginia.

600 estimated samples tested for tick-borne illness each month at five Virginia clinics.

Mason’s Center for Advanced Testing: Tick-Borne Disease Diagnostic Clinic will soon help change that. The center will use the one-year federal investment of $820,000 secured by Wexton to deploy diagnostic testing—utilizing a suite of unmatched Mason-developed technologies—that will allow for a quicker and more efficient diagnosis.

“Our unique medical technology to diagnose tick-borne diseases began many years ago,” says University Professor Lance Liotta, co-director and medical director of Mason’s Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine. “Our team is thrilled to expand our clinical trial under this special funding to now offer routine testing for the entire commonwealth.”

Mason’s technology for patient sample self-collection does not require refrigeration, and results are communicated to the requesting physician within 24 hours to enable appropriate therapy to begin immediately. This is a stark improvement from conventional technologies, which typically take 6 to 12 days to process at major diagnostic laboratories. Additionally, only one patient sample is needed to detect signatures derived from all the major known tick-borne pathogens.

“Mason scientists have been leaders in helping to prevent long-term illness and disability from these diseases, which are becoming more common in Virginia and across the country,” Wexton says. “I'm grateful to Mason for their work on this issue.”

Given that Mason officials anticipate seeing 600 samples per month at five clinics, the program promises to have a dramatic impact on the region. It’s an impact that is indicative of Mason’s culture of tackling problems in singular ways that create measurable results.

One Project, Two Goals

Nationwide, one of the pandemic’s most dire effects has been the sharp decline in learning achievement for K–12 students. Additionally, the number of teachers leaving the profession has sharply risen, with about 40 to 50 percent leaving within the first five years of their careers.

40% of new teachers leave the profession in the first five years.

Mason’s Tutors to Teachers program focuses on tackling both problems simultaneously. The program trains student tutors to address the most pressing gaps K–12 children currently face while nurturing those tutors for careers as future teachers. Now, through federal funding secured by Warner and Kaine, the program will have the support to extend its efforts to even more students and future teachers throughout the state.

Currently, Mason and Virginia Community College System students work with in-service teachers and receive training to provide online tutoring services to low-income K–12 children who are showing pandemic-driven learning gaps. The $1.95 million in federal funding will be used to prepare tutors to help K–12 students become self-regulated learners. Additionally, through relevant course work, mentoring experiences, and guidance provided by Mason faculty, student tutors will be empowered to enter the teacher workforce prepared with the skills needed to make a positive impact.

The funding enables Mason to build off an existing partnership with Fairfax, Arlington, and Alexandria school districts and extend its reach to Prince William County, Franklin City, Frederick County, and Spotsylvania public schools. Plans for expansion include Historically Black Colleges, Native American tribes, and other school districts in Virginia.

Mason’s TEACHERtrack Office administers the program, developed by Mason professors Anastasia Kitsantas and Roberto Pamas, both faculty with Mason’s School of Education.

Priyanka Champaneri, BA ’05, MFA ’10, and John Hollis contributed to this story.

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Social Work associate professor registers U.S. patent to reduce substance use relapse, the department’s first patent

Mary Cunningham — Wed, 26 Apr 2023 15:20:43 +0000

Social Work associate professor registers U.S. patent to reduce substance use relapse, the department’s first patent Mary Cunningham Wed, 04/26/2023 - 11:20

In This Story

Holly Matto, PhD, LCSW-C

Padmanabhan Seshaiyer

Substance use disorder affects more than 46 million Americans according to the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Recovery can be a difficult path, but an interdisciplinary team led by Holly Matto, associate professor in the Department of Social Work, aims to make it a little easier through a recently patented technology-based recovery support system.

Matto and College of Science Professor Padmanabhan Seshaiyer received the patent for a mobile technology to help those in recovery overcome triggers that lead to relapse. The technology is a real-time, cloud-based support system that helps manage behavioral responses—for example, the desire to use opioids—by monitoring physical symptoms, such as changes to a person’s heart rate, to identify when someone needs help to overcome a triggering event. With up to 60 percent of patients experiencing relapse within one year of treatment, the support is critical.

“The patent recognizes our unique contribution to the expanding availability of digital health technologies designed to improve access to timely support,” says Matto. The patent is believed to be the first received by a faculty member from the Department of Social Work.

Known as Recovery Engaged Mind-Health (REMind-h), the technology allows individuals in recovery to identify personally meaningful recovery-affirming sensory cues, which might include positive images, sounds, or other sensory stimuli that reinforce their commitment to recovery. Some examples might include peaceful nature scenes, a soundscape, motivational quote, or a sponsor’s message. These data are stored in the system’s cloud server and are activated and delivered to the person when their physiological metrics rise above the trained threshold, cycling through the available cues until regulation is restored.

“By using technology to monitor physiological responses, people in recovery can immediately have a personalized support system right there on their phone when they need it to help them manage the triggering moment,” says Matto. “The goal is to avoid relapse and, ultimately, to improve their quality of life.”

Matto says the patent has allowed the research team to partner with LifeSpan Digital Health LLC, which will license the technology. The technology prototype has already been developed by Rudra Nagalia, a graduate student in Health Administration and Policy and a member of the research team.

Matto began work on the idea behind the patent several years ago. She and Seshaiyer first teamed up to develop the technology after receiving a multidisciplinary grant from the provost’s office in 2015. They were selected for Mason’s National Science Foundation Innovation Corps Site Program in 2018, where they conducted interviews and gathered preliminary feedback on the concept.

Since then, Matto and Seshaiyer have also received a National Institutes of Health Small Business Technology Transfer sub-award to further test some of their recovery cue ideas. Bryce Dunn, PhD student in bioengineering, worked with the team on the grant to examine the regulating impact of recovery cues after exposure to substance-related cues in a virtual reality simulation. College of Engineering and Computing faculty member Nathalia Peixoto, a member of this interdisciplinary research team, offered expertise in measuring physiological and neural responses in the VR simulation, to help test the theory that personalized recovery cues help regulate reactivity to drug-stimuli exposures.

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Research

Three New Studies Funded by JCOIN’s Rapid Innovation Grant Program

Andrew J Schappert — Wed, 06 Oct 2021 15:13:48 +0000

Three New Studies Funded by JCOIN’s Rapid Innovation Grant Program Andrew J Schappert Wed, 10/06/2021 - 11:13

The nation’s correctional facilities are uniquely vulnerable to the novel coronavirus. Since the pandemic was declared a public health emergency in February 2020, prison populations have been decimated across the country as COVID-19 finds few barriers behind bars.

In response to the spread of COVID-19 among justice-involved populations suffering from addictions, the Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network (JCOIN) created the JCOIN Rapid Innovation Grant program (J-RIG), a rapid funding mechanism to support research grants to study newly emerging policies, practices, and interventions that address prevention and treatment of addiction in justice settings.

Three projects recently have been approved for J-RIG funding:

Reducing Stigma among Individuals with Addiction and Staff in the Criminal Justice System: A Pilot Feasibility Trial. This project addresses the serious negative consequences of stigma in the criminal justice system by combining cutting-edge research in stigma intervention with implementation science to address stigma associated with addiction, medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), and criminal involvement in the CJ system. PI: Kelly E Moore, assistant professor, clinical psychology, East Tennessee State University.
Improving low-threshold naloxone-on-release from incarceration. The primary purpose of this study is to determine whether providing high-volume, low-threshold, naloxone-on-release is effective at placing naloxone in the hands of jail releasees most likely to experience or witness an overdose. Two secondary aims are to determine facilitators and barriers to releasees obtaining additional doses of naloxone after release in the community and to explore how releasees take naloxone and associated training back to the community. PI: Peter J Davidson, associate professor, University of California-San Diego.
Decreasing Relapse and Recidivism: The Evaluation of a Novel Continuity of Care Model for Offenders with Substance Use Disorder (SUD). This project has two aims: to assess the effectiveness of a new SUD treatment program for short-term detainees in promoting detainee recovering and its impact on recidivism. The evaluation will improve our understanding of best practices for assisting detainees with SUD in re-entering their home communities successfully. PI: Valerie G Hardcastle, executive director, Institute for Health Innovation, Northern Kentucky University.

The first two J-RIG-funded projects began their work in 2020:

A Statewide Evaluation of the Implementation of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder in Vermont Correctional Facilities and the Impact of COVID-19.
PI: Elias Klemperer, assistant professor, Vermont Center on Behavior and Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine.

Teleservices in Judicially Led Diversion Programs: The Impact of COVID-19 on the Adoption of Remote Treatment and Recovery Services.
PI: Tara Kunkel, executive director, Rulo Strategies LLC.

“We’re excited about the continued quality of the proposals submitted for J-RIG funding and look forward to the findings from all five projects,” said University Professor Faye Taxman, who leads the JCOIN efforts.

Each of these projects has been funded for two years.

JCOIN and J-RIG are funded by the NIH HEAL Initiative and are administered by the Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence (ACE!) at ��AV’s Schar School of Policy and Government. The multi-university collaborative is led by University Professor Faye Taxman.