Forum to cover journalism and the opioid epidemic

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Top Virginia and Virginia Commonwealth University health experts will discuss how to cover the opioid crisis at a free forum for journalists, student journalists and the public on Nov. 15.

The forum, “Covering the Opioid Epidemic in Virginia: What Journalists Need to Know,” will be held at VCU in the Temple Building, 901 W. Main St., Room 1165, from 6-8:30 p.m.

The event is organized by the Virginia Department of Health Professions and sponsored by the Richard T. Robertson School of Media and Culture in the College of Humanities and Sciences, the Virginia Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and the student chapter of SPJ at VCU.

The seminar will address topics such as the rising number of opioid-related deaths; the drugs involved, such as heroin, fentanyl and prescription medications; how to access data to track the problem; and what government agencies are doing to address the epidemic.

Panelists include:

  • Peter Buckley, M.D., dean of the VCU School of Medicine
  • Barbara Allison-Bryan, M.D., deputy director of the Virginia Department of Health Professions
  • David E. Brown, D.C., director of the Virginia Department of Health Professions
  • Kate Neuhausen, M.D., chief medical officer of the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services
  • Tamara Whitlock, director of the Integrated Care Division in the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services
  • Michele Thomas, Pharm.D., pharmacy services manager in the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services
  • Ralph Orr, director of the Virginia Prescription Monitoring Program
  • Vanessa Walker-Harris, M.D., associate commissioner and director, Office of Family Health Services in the Virginia Department of Health
  • Diana Jordan, director of the Division of Disease Prevention, Virginia Department of Health