The Substance Use Stigma Reduction Collaborative | Consortium on Substance Use and Addiction

About

The Substance Use Stigma Reduction Collaborative is a working group established by Penn State University’s Consortium on Substance Use and Addiction consisting of academic scholars, professionals, and practitioners throughout Penn State University. The mission of the collaborative is to examine and understand stigma toward substance use to identify ways to reduce its impacts.

Collaborative members work together to conduct research on the impact stigma has on substance use, examine ways to address stigma toward substance use in practice, and identify opportunities to connect with community members to implement initiatives to address stigma toward substance use.

Members of the collaborative meet monthly to discuss ongoing internal and external collaborations, initiatives, and contemporary issues to address substance use disorder treatment and recovery. If you would like to join the Collaborative, please email one of the chairs.

Outreach

The following are active outreach experiences coordinated by members of the Collaborative:

The Story Powered Initiative

The Story Powered Initiative is a national movement to address stigma associated with a variety of social justice issues. Stigma shames and isolates, creating divisions of “them” and “us.” Stories can change that. By creating connections through stories, we are working to break down these barriers for a more inclusive world. The Story Powered Initiative is a space for individuals who are dedicated to making a positive impact through sharing their stories.

Life Unites Us Campaign

Life Unites Us fights to end the stigma surrounding opioid use disorder in Pennsylvania. A crucial step in reducing opioid addiction and overdose rates is to confront and correct harmful perceptions and societal stereotypes by sharing the real stories of those living with addiction across our state. The effort is supported by organizations, coalitions, and service providers who have already been doing amazing work to fight the opioid epidemic across the state.

Research

Featured Publications

Kaynak, Ö., Whipple, C.R., Burma, R., Verdia, S., Sturges, N., Saylor, E., Kensinger, W. (2024) “Everyone Blames You.” Stigma and Caregiving Burden Among Parents of Children with Substance Use Disorder. Journal of Family Psychology https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/fam0001266
Ma, Q., Whipple, C.R., Kaynak, Ö., Saylor, E., Kensinger, W. (2024). Somebody to Lean On: Understanding Self-Stigma and Willingness to Disclose in the Context of Addiction. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(8), 1044. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21081044
Kruis, N., Kaynak, Ö., Whipple, C., Saylor, E., Kensinger, W. (2024) Addiction Frameworks, Social Stigma, and NIMBY Syndrome: Examining Barriers to Responding to the Opioid Crisis. Contemporary Drug Problems, 51(1), 3-24. https://doi.org/10.1177/00914509241231821
Whipple, C., Kaynak, Ö., Kruis, N., Bonnevie, E., Saylor, E., Kensinger, W. (2023). Opioid Use Disorder Stigma and Support for Harm Reduction in Rural Communities. Substance Use & Misuse, 58(14), 1818-1828. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2023.2250434
Kaynak, Ö., Whipple, C. R., Bonnevie, E., Grossman, J. A., Saylor, E. M., Stefanko, M., ... & Kensinger, W. S. (2022). The Opioid Epidemic and the State of Stigma: A Pennsylvania Statewide Survey. Substance Use & Misuse, 57(7), 1120-1130.
Bonnevie, E., Kaynak, Ö., Whipple, C. R., Kensinger, W. S., Stefanko, M., McKeon, C., ... & Smyser, J. (2022). Life unites us: A novel approach to addressing opioid use disorder stigma. Health Education Journal, 81(3), 312-324.
Kruis, N.E., & Merlo, A.V. (In Press). A Preliminary Assessment of Stigma in Law Enforcement Officers’ Responses to Opioid Overdoses. Journal of Drug Issues . https://doi.org/10.1177/0022042620974076 [Published Online First].
Kruis, N.E., Choi, J. & Donohue, D. (2020). Police officers, stigma, and the opioid epidemic. International Journal of Police Science & Management, 22 (4), https://doi.org/10.1177/1461355720962524
Kruis, N.E. & Choi, J. (2020). Exploring social stigma toward opioid and heroin users among students enrolled in criminology, nursing, and EMT/paramedic courses. Criminal Justice Education, 31 (3), 319- 340. https://doi.org/10.1080/10511253.2020.1736112
Perry, P**., Kruis, N.E., & Rowland, N. (December, 2020). Perceptions of MAT and Narcan: Assessing the Influence of Stigma on First Responders’ Attitudes. Paper presented at the Penn State Addiction Symposium on December 3, 2020.
Kruis, N.E., Choi, J., & Rowland, N. (November, 2020). Labeling, Stigma, and Bias in Police Officer Responses to the Opioid Epidemic: An Integrated Assessment. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting for the Pennsylvania Sociological Society [Virtual presentation].
Kruis, N.E., Frye, T**., & Perry, P**. (November, 2020). The impact of stigma on perceptions of Narcan. Paper presented at the Annual CrimeCon Meeting in Orlando, Florida [Virtual presentation].
Donohue, D. & Kruis, N. E. (September, 2020).Examining the Role of Social Stigma in Shaping Perceptions of Responses to Opioid Overdoses. Paper presented at RAND Drug policy Research Center Brown Bag on September 29, 2020 [Virtual presentation].