The Power of Community: Reducing Stigma Around Addiction (Session 5)
Stigma surrounding substance use disorder (SUD) remains one of the most significant barriers to treatment and recovery support in rural communities. This in-depth training series will bring together individuals with lived experience and professionals working across the recovery continuum to build the skills, partnerships, and strategies needed to shift community perceptions and expand support for recovery in rural communities. The training will be facilitated by our partner, SAFE Project.
Participants will explore how stigma impacts individuals, families, and systems of care, particularly in rural areas where stigma can limit access to treatment and recovery resources. Through interactive sessions, participants will learn how to convene and lead dynamic community teams, assess local perceptions and attitudes toward substance use and recovery, and implement practical strategies to reduce stigma.
By the end of this collaborative series, participants will be equipped with tools to design, launch, and sustain community-driven initiatives that foster understanding, strengthen recovery support systems, and improve access to treatment and recovery services across their communities.
Participants are encouraged to attend all sessions to receive the full benefit of participating in this cohort. The dates and times for this series are listed below. The same link can be used to attend all of the trainings, and registration will remain open throughout the training.
If you have any questions or would like more information about the training, please contact Vanessa Roup at vroup@wiche.edu.
- August 20, 2026 @ 12 pm MST
- September 17, 2026 @ 12 pm MST