As prevention efforts have led to reductions in prescribing of controlled substances, people struggling with addiction are seeking alternative means of access. One such means is the diversion of medications prescribed by Veterinarians for animal use. Vets prescribe opioid pain killers, benzodiazepines, and other misused medications frequently for their animal patients. Diversion of these medications has been recognized as a growing problem which has not been widely understood or addressed in the animal care professions.

This session will detail a collaborative project between Power of Putnam and Tennessee Tech University to study and respond to this problem in what has now become a national level effort funded by The AmerisourceBergen Foundation. Participants will learn practical ways to develop community level collaborations with the Vet profession to provide resources, training, technical assistance, best practices, recognizing drug seeking behaviors, overdose reversal & referral.