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 Dr. Glenn Sterner at ges5098@psu.edu.
Annual Summit
CSUA Summit on Substance Use Disorder Stigma Reduction at Penn State University
The Summit on Substance Use Disorder Stigma Reduction is an interdisciplinary event that brings together practitioners and scholars from a range of fields (e.g., public health, government and public policy, psychology, criminal justice) to consider research, policy, and practice around the issue of stigma reduction in the field. This event is supported by generous contributions from the Penn State Consortium on Substance Use and Addiction and The Douglas W. Pollock Center for Addiction Outreach and Research.
Outreach
The following are active outreach experiences coordinated by members of the Collaborative:
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 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., 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].
Active Research Projects
Active research projects will be added at a later date.
Activities
Below are current activities hosted by the Collaborative. Please let us know if you would like to join them by contacting Dr. Glenn Sterner at ges5098@psu.edu.
- Collaborative Book Club
- The collaborative has established a book club where members meet monthly to take part in an open discussion regarding a stigma-related novel. Members are currently reading Raising Lazarus by Beth Macy. The book club is open to anyone interested.
