Tackling The Opioid Epidemic with The Prescription Playbook

In this episode, Prevention Specialist Sarah is joined by Ben Rudolph, a Recovery Specialist at Chestnut Health Systems and an active member of the ROSC Care Council Region 2, supporting communities across Illinois. Ben is a certified drug and alcohol counselor, a peer recovery specialist, and someone with lived experience who has been in recovery since 2003.Together, they explore Ben’s personal journey, how he applies his experiences to support others, and the critical role resilience plays in sustaining long-term recovery. Tune in to hear a powerful and inspiring conversation.

 On this episode of Tackling the Opioid Epidemic, we sit down with our own team member, Marissa Thompson, who works with the Illinois Emerging Adult population. Marissa shares how she got her start in this work and how her experiences fueled her passion for prevention. 

On this episode, we’re excited to welcome more members from Take Action Today: Teea, the Program Coordinator, along with Jessica, Jerome, and Daniel, Youth Engagement Specialists. They share their lived experiences and discuss how their work supports and empowers the communities they serve. Together, we explore substance use prevention through a community-centered lens and talk about disrupting generational patterns to create lasting change.

In this episode, Prevention Specialist Sarah sits down with Ben Rudolph, a Recovery Specialist at Chestnut Health and a member of the ROSC Care Council in Region 2, serving communities across Illinois. Ben is a certified drug and alcohol counselor, a peer recovery specialist, and a person with lived experience who has been in recovery since 2003. Together, they discuss Ben’s personal recovery journey, how he uses his experience and training to support others, and the powerful role resilience plays in long-term recovery. Tune in now to hear his inspiring story. 

In this episode of Tackling the Opioid Epidemic, Prevention Specialist Leah sits down with Mandy and Torie from Take Action Today. Mandy serves as the ROSC Coordinator, and Torie is a Harm Reduction and Peer Recovery Specialist.Together, they share their personal journeys into this work and reflect on the powerful impact Take Action Today has had not only on their own lives, but on the broader community. This conversation explores the importance of accessible resources, the distinction between substance use and substance misuse, and the need to reduce stigma surrounding both. Tune in to learn how community-driven support and education can truly make a difference.

This week on Tackling the Opioid Epidemic, we sit down with Kayla DeCant, Project Director of Prevention and Outreach at Lewis University. We discuss the realities of sexual assault on campus, how students can look out for one another through effective prevention strategies, and where to find support. We also share key resources for anyone impacted by sexual assault.Click here to access resources: https://www.advocatesforyouth.org/campaigns/know-your-ix/ https://endrapeoncampus.org/

 In this episode, we’re excited to have on our very own Prescription Playbook Team, featuring Prevention Specialists Erika Hahn, Sarah Gruden, and Leah Naraine, along with Digital Marketing Specialist Allison Bautista. Together, we dive into all things Drug Take Back Day, what it is, how to spread the word in our communities, why it matters, and how safe disposal protects us all. We’ll also share resources and tips for finding local drop-off locations. Tune in to learn more! 

This week on the podcast, Prevention Specialist Erika sits down with Meghan Hanrahan. She is an athletic trainer, dancer, and her longtime friend. Meghan shares the vital role athletic trainers play in sports and recovery, and highlights why strong communication across an athlete’s support system is key to healing and success.

 Join Danielle Heffernan, Certified Recovery Support Specialist & Coordinator for DuPage Recovery Organization, and our Prevention Specialist Sarah Gruden as they dive deep into the powerful conversation around stigma, recovery, and hope. Let’s change the narrative, one story at a time. 

In this week’s episode, we are joined by Dr. Holly Gueyer, the author of Ending the Crisis and an Addiction Medicine Specialist at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona. We dive into her remarkable career journey and the impactful work she does in supporting patients with complex illnesses, particularly in hospital settings. We also explore her insights on the opioid epidemic. While the challenges vary by state, Dr. Gueyer highlights the similarities in the approaches needed to protect individuals and communities from the impact of substance use disorder.

In this episode of Tackling the Opioid Epidemic, our host and Prevention Specialist, Erika, speaks with Jordyn Hughes, a fellow Prevention Specialist working on a separate project at OMNI. Jordyn shares her journey from growing up immersed in sports to the determination and focus that fueled her high school years, ultimately leading her to compete at the collegiate level. She also opens up about the challenges and realities of transitioning from being an athlete to adulthood. The two dive into their shared experiences as college athletes, offering valuable insights and advice to students currently pursuing the same dream. Jordyn completed her undergraduate studies at Eastern Illinois University and earned her graduate degree at Murray State University in Kentucky.

In this episode, we sit down with Ambrosia, Project Coordinator, and Terri, Client Services Team Lead, from Circle of Care. They discuss the critical connection between grief and substance use disorder, as well as the unique services their program offers. Tune in to learn more about how the Circle of Care is supporting children, youth, and families impacted by grief related to substance use disorder through their statewide program.

Check out this podcast episode where we talk to Liz, the Assistant Director of Substance Misuse Prevention at Health Promotion and Wellness (HPaW), shares her journey and expertise. Liz joined HPaW in January 2023, where she oversees vital programs like BASICS (Brief Alcohol Screening Intervention for College Students), and manages AOD (alcohol and other drug) programs such as Red Watch Band, Opioid Overdose Prevention, Naloxone Training, and Drinking Culture Close-Up. Liz’s student affairs journey began at UIC, where she worked as a resident assistant and orientation leader. Her passion for helping college students make healthier decisions regarding substance use is driven by her background in public health. Don't miss her insights on supporting students' well-being and substance misuse prevention!

In this episode of Tackling the Opioid Epidemic, we sit down with Sarah Richardson, FGC, and a key member of the Sangamon County ROSC. Sarah dives into the concept of ROSC (Recovery-Oriented Systems of Care), explaining its vital role in fostering community collaboration and driving meaningful change in the fight to end the opioid epidemic. Don’t miss this insightful conversation on how local, coordinated efforts can make a lasting impact.

Our Prevention Specialist Armando, talks to Wendy Lambert, the CEO of Step Recovery Center. Wendy talks about how what initially started as something she had posted on  has resulted in amazing contributions  such as community work, housing, and support for those who have Substance Use Disorder. She has made amazing contributions in her community. 

 In this episode of Tackling the Opioid Epidemic, we welcome Kate Reed, a Trauma-Informed Consultant and Burnout Prevention Specialist. Kate shares her journey from her upbringing in Africa to her studies in the Middle East, highlighting how community care has shaped her insights into global health and her current career. She discusses the impact of trauma on our bodies and emphasizes the long-term detrimental effects it can have, as well as the potential for reversal through education for future generations. 

On this episode of Tackling the Opioid Epidemic, we talk to Megan Hanley, an epidemiologist from the Tazewell County Health Department. She highlights patterns that can help vape shops better understand and address the factors that lead teens to access their products, encouraging accountability and responsible practices. Megan also discusses how various sectors—policy, prevention, education, and community—can collaborate to combat the opioid epidemic. 

On this week's episode, we’re joined by Erika, The Prescription Playbook's Prevention Specialist, and Allison, our Digital Marketing Specialist. They discuss the unique marketing strategies for the project. Allison shares how her passion for graphic design and human interaction has led her to her role on the team.

We recently talked to Rita Roberson about her work with adolescents through her career in Prevention for the past 9 years. She takes on a leadership role in Jersey County Against Drugs, and has past experience with youth as a kindergarten aid. She continues to do work in her community to make a positive impact for adolescents to make their own healthy choices.

Prevention Specialist Armando talks to Ron Sprong, Community Health Manager from the Greene County Health Department. During this episode they talk about community building in the Prevention sphere pre and post pandemic. Join their ROSC Meetings to learn more about the work they do here: https://greenecountyhd.org/recovery/

Prevention Specialist Paul talks to Dr. Sterling Elliott, a pharmacist from Northwestern's Feinberg School of Medicine. During his career as a pharmacist, Dr. Sterling Elliott explains how everyone has different perspective of pain and how that has effected the Opioid Epidemic.  He also talks about what we can do to be responsible for our unwanted medications and how to stop the epidemic. 

We interviewed John Harrison, Vice President from Champion Forward. He talks about his past as an athlete and what keeps him passionate about helping youth with pressures they face on and off the field.  

In this episode we talked to Vermilion County Coroner, Jane McFadden. Jane talks about how her experience as an Army veteran, her 20 plus years as a commander of criminal investigation division at the Danville Police Department, and her time as a community college professor in criminal justice that has led her to where she is today as the county corner. Her current position allows her to see the rates at which people are using substances. She talks about the evolution of opiates and how they are risker today than ever and her opinions on ways we can fight the opioid epidemic in the future.

Our first episode of Tackling the Opioid Epidemic with The Prescription Playbook! We interviewed Mike Gardner, Police Sergeant for Community Engagement at Illinois State University. He speaks about how he got involved in the community, Drug Take Back, and the importance of substance use education. Go Redbirds!