This one-hour workshop will provide an overview of new and emerging synthetic cannabinoids and their impacts. The session will incorporate identifying different types of cannabinoids, indicators of use, and trends within Nevada and across the country. In addition, participants will gain perspective on how synthetic cannabinoids may intersect with opioid use, including overlapping symptoms, risks of co-ingestion, and the role (and limitations) of naloxone.Participants will learn practical strategies and resources for managing unknown and novel synthetic substance use while understanding up-to-date information that will equip providers to implement effective approaches to engagement and care.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand synthetic cannabinoids, including their origination, trends in use, and how K2 and spice have been used.
- Be able to describe positive and negative effects of K2 and spice, including potential for overdose, and why the drugs are used.
- Recognize the behavioral and physical signs of K2 and spice use and identify tools to use in screening, including considerations when opioids are present or co-used.
Presented by: Andrew Kurtz, MA, LMFT
Andrew Kurtz is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has been a Clinical Specialist with UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs since 2014 and is the Director of UCLA ISAP’s Pacific Mental Health Awareness Training project. Mr. Kurtz has previously served as a program director in community mental health, specializing in optimizing access to integrated services through a same-day assessment center. He has served as the lead of a nationally-recognized Trauma-Informed Care implementation that provided staff trainings and program design assistance to improve trauma services, including developing a one-of-a-kind wellness center focused on reducing barriers to accessing care for individuals exposed to traumatic events. Mr. Kurtz has been the instructor for the Fieldwork Practicum course in UCLA Extension’s Alcohol and Drug Counseling Certificate Program since 2017. Mr. Kurtz has a background in research on cognitive and behavioral interventions for the treatment of first-episode schizophrenia diagnoses.
Continuing Education Units: 1 CEU
This training is approved for continuing education by the boards listed here.
Funding for this activity was made possible in whole or in part by the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Director’s Office through the Fund for a Resilient Nevada, established in Nevada Revised Statutes 433.712 through 433.744. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in our courses are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Nevada Opioid Center of Excellence or its funders.