The Nevada Opioid Center of Excellence (NOCE)

Emerging Drug Trends in the Pacific Southwest Part 1: The Substance Use Landscape and Why We Care About Emerging Trends
2026-02-12 15:00 - 16:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom Webinar
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) reminds us that effective prevention begins with awareness. Understanding our communities and their changing trends is essential for implementing responsive, evidence-based services. This webinar is the first of a four-part series on emerging drug trends in the Pacific Southwest region. It will overview the importance of understanding emerging trends and the opportunities that exist to address them through the lens of the SPF. The webinar will also review risk and protective factors that influence the emergence of new trends. Finally, it will provide a high-level summary of the current and emerging substance use trends in the Pacific Southwest region which will be explored in greater detail in the rest of this series.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the webinar, participants will be able to:

Explain the importance of understanding emerging trends.
Identify opportunities to address emerging trends through strategic planning.
Identify risk and protective factors that influence the emergence of new trends.
Describe the current overview of substance use in the Pacific Southwest.

Who Should Participate
Community, tribal, jurisdiction, and state-level substance misuse prevention practitioners and allied health partners located in the Pacific Southwest region, including American Samoa, Arizona, California, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, Republic of Marshall Islands, and Republic of Palau.
Presenters
Josh Esrick, MPP is the Chief of Training and Technical Assistance at Carnevale Associates, LLC. Mr. Esrick has over ten years of experience researching, writing, evaluating, and presenting on substance use prevention and other behavioral health topics. He is an expert in providing training and technical assistance (T/TA) in substance use, having overseen the development of hundreds of T/TA products for numerous clients, including six of SAMHSA’s ten regional PTTCs, the PTTC Network Coordinating Office, and the Central East ATTC and MHTTC.
Olivia Stuart, LMSW is an Associate with Carnevale Associates, LLC. She has provided training and technical assistance (T/TA) through four of SAMHSA’s ten regional PTTCs and the Central East ATTC. In her role, Ms. Stuart has developed dozens of T/TA products including webinars, intensive training events, conference presentations, reports, and fact sheets on a variety of topics across the fields of substance use prevention and behavioral health.
Dates & Times
States & American Samoa
February 12, 2026
04:00 p.m. – 05:30 p.m. Arizona
03:00 p.m. – 04:30 p.m. Pacific
01:00 p.m. – 02:30 p.m. Hawaii
12:00 p.m. – 01:30 p.m. American Samoa
Pacific Jurisdictions
February 13, 2026
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Republic of the Marshall Islands
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Pohnpei and Kosrae
09:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Chuuk, and Yap
08:00 a.m. – 09:30 a.m. Republic of Palau
(view in your time zone)
Cost: Free!

Certificates of Attendance
Participants will receive a Certificate of Attendance for 1.5 hours for participating in each live webinar session.
Questions?
Please contact Tyler Dean (tdean@casat.org) for any questions related to registration. For any other questions, please contact Audeaneh Saberi (asaberi@casat.org).

The Mae Orvis Healthcare Symposium
2026-02-17 09:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
Rising to the Horizon: Nurses Leading the Future of Care
Discover the future of nursing through thought-provoking sessions on space medicine, global health, integrated mental health care, forensic and trauma-informed nursing, and leadership in evolving healthcare environments. The day will conclude with an inspiring plenary session designed to synthesize insights and chart a bold path forward for nursing practice.
Sessions Include:
Session 1: Space Medicine and Healthcare in Extreme Environments
Session 2: Global Health and Humanitarian Healthcare
Session 3: Integrated Mental Health Care: Suicide Prevention
Session 4: Forensic and Trauma-Informed Nursing
Session 5: Plenary Keynote Session | Rising to the Horizon: Nurses Leading the Future of Care

Empowering Rural Communities: Overcoming Barriers to Treatment
2026-02-23 15:30 - 16:45 | Zoom Meeting
Rural communities face unique challenges in addressing substance use disorders, from limited access to care and transportation barriers to social labeling and workforce shortages. This webinar will explore innovative, community-driven strategies that are helping rural areas expand treatment access and build recovery-ready environments. Attendees will gain insights into successful models such as mobile clinics, telehealth, peer support networks, and faith-based partnerships, along with practical tools and resources to take action locally.
Learning Objectives:

Discuss key barriers to SUD treatment in rural communities, including stigma, transportation, and provider shortages.
Highlight innovative rural programs and models that improve access to prevention, treatment, and recovery services.
Share practical tools and resources for building local capacity and partnerships.
Inspire attendees to take action and advocate for sustainable, community-based solutions.

Intended Audience: Healthcare and behavioral health providers, community leaders or advocates, community health organizations, and community members.
Presentation Format: This session will take place in a Zoom meeting format. Participants will have access to camera and audio, though neither is required. For more information on the use of Zoom please visit the Getting Started with Zoom Videoconferencing Software section of our website
Presented by: Humberto Carvalho, MPH
Humberto Carvalho is a seasoned public health professional with extensive experience leading domestic and international initiatives funded by the U.S. government. He holds a Master of Public Health Leadership with a concentration in Epidemiology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Over the course of over 12 years at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Humberto played a pivotal role in shaping public health policies and advancing key initiatives to promote mental health and substance use treatment and prevention.
Continuing Education Units: 1.25 CEUs
This training is approved for continuing education by the boards listed here. This course is also approved by the Nevada Certification Board for the following professional certifications:

Peer Recovery and Support Specialist Certification and PRSS Supervisors (PRSS(-S))

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.

Advocating for Change: How to Influence Opioid Policy in Your Community
2026-03-16 15:30 - 16:45 | Zoom Meeting
Local policies play a critical role in shaping how communities respond to the opioid crisis. This webinar will focus on the policy-making process and empower attendees with practical strategies to influence opioid-related decisions in their own communities. From expanding access to treatment and prevention services to securing funding and changing local laws, participants will learn how to engage decision-makers, build coalitions, and drive meaningful change.
Learning Objectives:

Identify effective advocacy strategies for influencing opioid-related legislation, funding, and programs.
Share real-world examples of successful community-led policy change.
Equip attendees with tools to engage decision-makers, build coalitions, and mobilize public support.

Intended Audience: Healthcare and behavioral health providers, community leaders or advocates, community health organizations, and community members.
Presentation Format: This session will take place in a Zoom meeting format. Participants will have access to camera and audio, though neither is required. For more information on the use of Zoom please visit the Getting Started with Zoom Videoconferencing Software section of our website
Presented by: Humberto Carvalho, MPH
Humberto Carvalho is a seasoned public health professional with extensive experience leading domestic and international initiatives funded by the U.S. government. He holds a Master of Public Health Leadership with a concentration in Epidemiology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Over the course of over 12 years at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Humberto played a pivotal role in shaping public health policies and advancing key initiatives to promote mental health and substance use treatment and prevention.
Continuing Education Units: 1.25 CEUs
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.

Youth & Substance Use: Prevention Strategies for Families and Schools
2026-03-30 15:30 - 16:45 | Zoom Meeting
Preventing substance use among youth starts at home and in the classroom. This webinar will explore practical, evidence-based strategies that families and schools can use to reduce risk and build resilience in children and adolescents. Participants will learn how to recognize early warning signs, foster open communication, implement school-based prevention programs, and create strong partnerships between educators and caregivers.
Learning Objectives:

Educate participants on risk factors and early warning signs of substance use in youth.
Share prevention strategies that families and schools can implement collaboratively.
Highlight successful school-based and family-centered programs that promote healthy choices.
Provide tools and resources to strengthen communication, build protective factors, and engage community support.

Intended Audience: Parents, teachers, counselors, community leaders or advocates, community health organizations, and community members.
Presentation Format: This session will take place in a Zoom meeting format. Participants will have access to camera and audio, though neither is required. For more information on the use of Zoom please visit the Getting Started with Zoom Videoconferencing Software section of our website
Presented by: Humberto Carvalho, MPH
Humberto Carvalho is a seasoned public health professional with extensive experience leading domestic and international initiatives funded by the U.S. government. He holds a Master of Public Health Leadership with a concentration in Epidemiology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Over the course of over 12 years at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Humberto played a pivotal role in shaping public health policies and advancing key initiatives to promote mental health and substance use treatment and prevention.
Continuing Education Units: 1.25 CEUs
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.

The Role of Rural Community Partners in Addressing the Opioid Crisis
2026-04-13 15:30 - 16:45 | Zoom Meeting
This webinar explores how grassroots organizations, local leaders, and service providers in rural areas can work together to combat the devastating impact of opioid addiction. Participants will gain insights into the unique challenges faced by rural communities, discover innovative strategies and success stories from the field, and learn how to build effective partnerships that support prevention, treatment, and recovery.
Learning Objectives:

Educate participants about the unique challenges and disproportionate impact of the opioid crisis in rural communities.
Showcase the vital contributions of rural partners—such as nonprofits, faith-based groups,
schools, and local leaders—in prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts.
Present real-world examples and proven strategies that rural communities have successfully
implemented to combat opioid misuse.
Provide attendees with practical tools, funding resources, and collaborative models to strengthen local responses and build sustainable solutions.

Intended Audience: healthcare and behavioral health professionals, policymakers, community advocates, community health organizations, and community members
Presentation Format: This session will take place in a Zoom meeting format. Participants will have access to camera and audio, though neither is required. For more information on the use of Zoom please visit the Getting Started with Zoom Videoconferencing Software section of our website
Presented by: Humberto Carvalho, MPH
Humberto Carvalho is a seasoned public health professional with extensive experience leading domestic and international initiatives funded by the U.S. government. He holds a Master of Public Health Leadership with a concentration in Epidemiology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Over the course of over 12 years at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Humberto played a pivotal role in shaping public health policies and advancing key initiatives to promote mental health and substance use treatment and prevention.
Continuing Education Units: 1.25 CEUs
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.
