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Evaluation Video ViewAttendees 2

Workshop F

Opioid Abuse as a Public Health Crisis and Overdose as an Epidemic

F3 - Wound Care at the Opioid Treatment Program: Adapting to the Public Health Crisis of Tranq Dope in Philadelphia

Wednesday, October 8, 2025
10:00am - 11:30am EST
Location: Salons E-H
Earn 1.5 CE Hour(s)
Presentation Summary: The landscape of the opioid epidemic continues to evolve away from prescription opioids toward higher potency opioids, like fentanyl analogs and nitazenes, as well as the opioid potentiating alpha-2 agonists, including xylazine and medetomidine. As these substances have rapidly spread throughout the Philadelphia area, so has the rate of xylazine-associated wounds. These poorly healing wounds can lead to amputation or life threatening infection. A new public health challenge has developed around providing wound care in behavioral health settings, like Opioid Treatment Programs. This heterogeneous opioid supply has also led to individual clinical challenges for MOUD induction and retention.

Learning Objectives:

At the completion of this activity, participants will:
  • Describe the unique risks posed by xylazine and fentanyl in the opioid supply
  • List new opioid-related public health concerns in Philadelphia, including the need for wound care services.
  • Name emerging treatment options including buprenorphine cross taper (aka “microinduction”), high dose buprenorphine induction, and more.