Creating Inclusive Coalitions to Inform Substance Use Disorder Policy

As states continue to grapple with the opioid overdose crisis, they are finding themselves with additional funding from renewed federal grants and new funds from opioid litigation settlements. As part of the planning efforts to direct opioid-related funds, many states are looking to engage with people with lived and living experience to develop programs that meet their needs. This fall I had the opportunity, with colleagues from NYU, the University of Pittsburgh, the University of California San Francisco, Boston University, and the National Survivors Union, to present a session at the 2024 AMERSA Conference focused helping communities – especially those with lived and living experience – engage in advocating for the funding and programs that they need. The session focused on strategies to support coalitions co-led by persons with lived and living experiences (PWLLE), aiming to build trust and advocate for systemic improvements related to substance use treatment policy.

Coalitions unite diverse stakeholders—clinicians, researchers, policymakers, and individuals with lived experiences—to address complex issues like substance use disorders. These alliances amplify collective voices by fostering collaboration, ensuring that policies are comprehensive and reflective of varied perspectives. This collaborative approach is essential for enacting meaningful and sustainable policy reforms.

Key Takeaways from Our Session

Historically, substance use policy decisions are made without the persons with lived and living experience at the table. To amend this, I, with colleagues, presented four critical components to developing interdisciplinary coalitions that can, in turn, help shape policy.

1. Centering Lived and Living Experiences: Effective coalitions prioritize the voices of those directly impacted by substance use policies. This approach acknowledges that those with firsthand experience possess unique knowledge essential for crafting effective, equitable solutions. By integrating their expertise, governments, and organizations can design policies and programs that truly address the needs and realities of the communities that policies are intended to serve. Meaningful engagement with PWLLE experience fosters trust, promotes inclusivity, and enhances the overall impact of initiatives.

2. Engaging with Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Interdisciplinary collaboration involves professionals from diverse fields working together to address complex challenges and leveraging their varied expertise to develop comprehensive solutions. In bringing researchers, persons PWLLE, treatment providers, and policymakers into conversation together, more effective problem-solving can be developed through integrating different perspectives.

3. Building Sustained Engagement: For interdisciplinary collaboration to be effective, the relationships must be thought about from a long-term perspective. Building lasting relationships among coalition members is crucial to promote sustained momentum for advocacy efforts. Meeting regularly ensures that advocacy efforts are responsive to current needs, as well as gives space for members newer to advocacy or policy more exposure to the process.

4. Seeking Actionable Outcomes: Actionable outcomes are specific, measurable results from data analysis or research that can directly inform decision-making and prompt concrete actions. Unlike general findings, actionable outcomes provide clear guidance on the steps needed to achieve desired objectives, ensuring that insights lead to practical and effective interventions. Coalitions should strive for actionable outcomes to support alignment on a specific goal to collectively achieve. Actionable outcomes will also help coalitions connect more effectively with policymakers who are often looking for data-driven approaches.

Centering Voices to Drive Equitable Policy and Results

By fostering inclusive, interdisciplinary collaborations, stakeholders can build coalitions and help states and organizations develop and implement policies that are both effective and equitable, ultimately improving health outcomes for individuals and communities affected by substance use disorders. Aurrera Health Group encourages our clients to prioritize for stakeholder engagement that both includes and centers the voices of those with lived and living experiences in our work to support increased access to substance use treatment. Through our work on the Pathways to Resilience initiative, we developed a Tip Sheet and hosted a Learning Network session, both of which provide guidance on engaging individuals with lived experience in meaningful ways. To learn more about how Aurrera Health works to engage individuals with lived experience, please contact Kelly Murphy.

Kate Roberts [Deputy Director]