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NKU to host conference focused on evidence-based research of neonatal abstinence syndrome


Northern Kentucky University will host the inaugural conference of the Ohio River Valley Addiction Research Consortium (ORVARC). The conference will focus on evidence-based research on neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) and will be held on November 10, 2017 in the Student Union.

ORVARC’s mission is to increase collaboration among researchers, regardless of institutional and disciplinary boundaries, in an effort to address opioid addiction in the Ohio River Valley. Last year, the region received a call to action from an expert on the drug epidemic.

“In Spring of 2016, Sam Quinones, author of Dreamland, visited the NKU campus and issued a challenge to the area to develop collaborative efforts to battle the opioid epidemic. As part of the response to that challenge, NKU has been leading the effort in working with universities to establish ORVARC,” said NKU Provost Sue Ott Rowlands. “The ORVARC team is unwavering in this mission, and as a result the first event will be held on our campus.”

Ohio Lieutenant Governor Mary Taylor will attend the ORVARC conference to introduce Sam Quinones, and Ott Rowlands will facilitate the conversation with him. West Virginia University’s Dr. Judith Feinberg will present the keynote address titled “The Opioid Epidemic: A View from the Belly of the Beast.” Dr. Feinberg is a professor of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry in WVU’s School of Medicine. The conference is designed to address the epidemic head on, with research presentations throughout the day and closing sessions dedicated to building collaboration.

  • What:ORVARC Conference
  • When: November 10, 2017, 9 a.m.-4:45 p.m.
  • Where: NKU Student Union Room 107

More info on registration can be found here. Registration is free but required. The conference schedule is available here.

Northern Kentucky University


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