Opioid Affected Youth Initiative: Answering the Call
Answering the Call is a nine-segment podcast series that seeks to examine the roles and perspectives of first responders, marginalized communities, legal systems, and the role of the United States Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) in this crisis. The Opioid Affected Youth Initiative (OAYI) supports juvenile and criminal justice systems to address the needs of youth impacted by opioids and reduce juvenile justice and foster care system involvement.This project is supported by Cooperative Agreement #15PJDP-21-GK-03630-JJOP, awarded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Disclaimer: The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this presentation are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Department of Justice.This project is managed by the Institute for Intergovernmental Research (IIR).
Opioid Affected Youth Initiative: Answering the Call
Episode 6: Speaking the Language
The Opioid Affected Youth Initiative’s nine-segment podcast series, Answering the Call, seeks to examine the roles and perspectives of first responders, marginalized communities, and justice systems, as well as the role of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, in the opioid crisis.
The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, and asexual/aromantic/agender (LGBTQIA) community has been hard hit by substance misuse and its detrimental outcomes. Members of this community are at an increased risk of developing substance use disorders (SUDs) in response to feelings of stigmatization, isolation, and negative self-image perpetuated by an often less-than-welcoming society. Treatment for these individuals may be difficult to access and may be significantly harmful due to stigmatized attitudes, lack of understanding, or outright bias. Support of LGBTQIA individuals with SUDs requires creating safe spaces in which they can connect and receive supportive treatment without fear of discrimination or additional marginalization. In this episode, “Speaking the Language,” Dishon Laing and Steven Haden will focus on ways in which programs are prioritizing providing a common language and understanding of the nuanced experiences of LGBTQIA individuals with SUDs. It will highlight the importance of embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion into trauma-informed practices to promote responses that are non-stigmatizing and culturally aligned.