Rhode Island continues to face an overdose crisis. All across the country and in our state, rates of drug overdose are increasing, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 300 Rhode Islanders lost their lives to an overdose in 2019. In the context of the larger addiction crisis, the widespread use of dated and stigmatizing language when reporting on substance use is a genuine public health concern.

Journalists, anchors, radio talk show hosts, bloggers, and other media figures play an important role in shaping how we talk about substance use, addiction, and recovery. All members of the press are invited to attend this virtual event that will include personal testimony by Rhode Islanders in recovery and professional training by the nation’s leading experts on stigma.

Join RICARES and the City of Providence for a workshop led by veteran journalists, leading researchers, and people in recovery about:

• Updated Associated Press guidelines for person-centered and scientifically accurate language regarding addiction and substance use
• How the overdose epidemic is impacted by COVID-19 and systemic racism
• The importance of using de-stigmatizing language to support connections to treatment and recovery services

Register here.