SNOAC Ad-Hoc Community Update

Written By Katarina Pulver

Hello SNOAC Community!

I hope you all have been well! As a reminder, our next meeting is Thursday, November 6th at 10am and will be available in a hybrid format (virtual and in person). Virtually you can access the meeting via Zoom or in-person at Roseman University (1 Breakthrough Way, The Auditorium, Las Vegas, NV 89135). In the meantime, please see some community ad-hoc updates:

Community Events and Information:

  • Bureau of Behavioral Health Wellness and Prevention Strategic Plan Presentation and Feedback Reception

  • Magic of Recovery Trunk or Treat

    • Date: Wednesday, October 29 from 4p-7p

    • Location: WestCare Nevada Women's & Children's Campus (5659 West Duncan DriveLas Vegas, NV, 89130)

    • Cost: Free

    • About: The Magic of Recovery Trunk or Treat, co-hosted with Shine a Light Foundation, is right around the corner! Featuring a full array of scary-good games, food, contests, and more, plus a speaker meeting after the event, this is the Halloween tradition we cherish the most. An opportunity to connect with our community while supporting great causes and bring everyone together in celebration. No RSVP needed -- we'll see you on October 29 at the Women and Children's Campus! If you or someone you know is ready for change, we’re here to help. Visit us online, give us a call at 702-385-3330

    • Learn more: https://www.snoac.org/community-events/magic-of-recovery-trunk-or-treat

  • Trunk or Treat at The Center

    • Date: Friday, October 31st from 4p-7p

    • Location: The Center (401 S. Maryland Pkwy. Las Vegas, NV 89101)

    • Cost: Free

    • About: Gather your ghouls and goblins for a thrilling evening of Halloween fun at The Center's Trunk or Treat event! Enjoy a night filled with sweet treats, exciting activities, and a fantastic opportunity to connect with your community. No need to RSVP—just grab your costume and join the celebration; everyone is welcome!

    • Learn more: https://files.constantcontact.com/f9350320801/11aec09b-78da-4ed4-a8b5-f922c7a30171.pdf

  • SNOAC Holiday Gathering

    • Date: Thursday, December 4th from 10a-12p

    • Location: The Center (401 S Maryland Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV 89101) Due to the interactivity of the gathering, there will not be a virtual option to attend.

    • Cost: Free

    • About: You have been invited to attend the Southern Nevada Opioid Advisory Council (SNOAC) Planning Meeting and Winter Gathering! At this meeting there will be snacks and warm drinks as you network with your fellow attendees and voice your opinions on what you feel should be the SNOAC priorities in 2026! This is a flexible gathering and you are welcome to come anytime between 10 and 12 stay for as long as you would like in the meeting- whether that is 10 minutes or the full 2 hours. We hope to see you there!

    • To learn more, reach out to the SNOAC secretary at pulver@snhd.org

 

Educational Opportunities

  • Supporting Pregnant and Parenting People Who Use Substances: Moving Toward Compassionate Care — Virtual Follow-Up Series — Session 2

  • Preventing Opioid Misuse and Opioid Overdose: Moving Upstream

    • Date: Tuesday, October 28th from 12p-1:30p

    • Location: Virtual

    • Cost: Free

    • About: The “all hands on deck” call to address the opioid crisis has challenged our efforts to implement primary prevention that complements other efforts to address the crisis across the spectrum of behavioral health care services. This interactive webinar will explore ways to expand prevention to move our work more upstream–beyond preventing deaths from opioid overdoses to preventing the misuse that leads to those overdoses. This webinar will include an overview of national and Nevada data; the risk and protective factors associated with opioid misuse and overdose; and a range of promising and evidence-based strategies to consider as part of creating a comprehensive plan to move the work of prevention upstream. The webinar will also explore community mobilization strategies and ways to build additional partnerships.

    • To learn more, visit https://nvopioidcoe.org/event/preventing-opioid-misuse-and-opioid-overdose-moving-upstream/

  • From Plant to Patient: Clinical Approaches to Kratom Consumption and Addiction

    • Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025from 9a-10a

    • Location:

    • Cost: Free

    • About: Kratom is a complex botanical with both opioid-like and stimulant properties, increasingly used in the U.S. for self-management of pain, as an opioid substitute, and for various mental health symptoms. While traditionally consumed for centuries in its natural form in its indigenous regions, commercially available kratom products in the U.S. are often variable in composition and potency, posing a greater risk of toxicity. Additionally, kratom use can lead to dependence, withdrawal, and in some cases, meet DSM-5 criteria for a substance use disorder. With kratom use and harms being more common among individuals with substance use disorders, addiction psychiatrists must be equipped to assess and manage patients who consume kratom—whether for perceived therapeutic benefits or as part of an addictive pattern. This workshop will provide an in-depth overview of kratom’s pharmacology, patterns of use, and the evolving regulatory landscape. Attendees will gain insight into how kratom differs from traditional opioids, its potential for addiction, and the complexities of withdrawal management. Practical strategies for patient engagement, harm reduction, and evidence-based treatment approaches will be discussed, with a focus on real-world clinical scenarios. By the end of this session, participants will have a clearer understanding of how to navigate kratom-related clinical challenges, including how to approach patients who consume kratom, recognize problematic use and addiction, and determine appropriate treatment interventions.

    • To learn more, visit https://nvopioidcoe.org/event/understanding-kratom-consumption-patterns-and-treatment-strategies-for-kratom/

  • Overdose Response Training of Trainers

    • Date: Wednesday, November 5th from 1:30p-5p

    • Location: Southern Nevada Health District (280 S. Decatur Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89107)

    • Cost: Free

    • About: This class is open to trainers who wish to become educated with current information about the illicit drug supply and the current best practices for reversing overdoses. At the end of this training, you will be equipped with the knowledge and tools to train others in overdose response, understand opioids and their effects, and educate others on common myths regarding drug overdose and fentanyl. Prerequisite work is required and will be sent by email. This no-cost training is completely grant funded.

    • To learn more about, reach out to Lori Bryan at bryanl@snhd.org

If you have any questions, wish to update your SNOAC membership, or have important community events or resources related to substance use, overdose or recovery, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us via our “Contact Us” page.

Katarina Pulver
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SNOAC Ad-Hoc Community Update