Truth or Hysteria: Investigating Cannabis – Fentanyl Contamination

As the presence of fentanyl has increased in recent years, so have concerns and reporting about fentanyl contamination of other substances like cannabis. This webinar will look at toxicological evidence, case studies and drug sample data to discuss what we know and don’t know about cannabis-fentanyl contamination and how to discuss these risks with the public to provide accurate information and avoid spreading misinformation.

Objectives

1. Differentiate between verified cases and unsubstantiated claims of fentanyl-laced cannabis by reviewing current toxicological evidence, case studies, and forensic reports.
2. Recognize the limitations and challenges of Law Enforcement presumptive testing in detecting fentanyl in complex drug samples, especially cannabis.
3. Apply evidence-based messaging strategies when discussing suspected fentanyl contamination in cannabis with the public, clients, or colleagues to promote informed and accurate communication.

Audience: This webinar is intended for a general audience of prevention and public health professionals of all experience levels.

Content: This webinar is relevant to ATOD topics as well as IC&RC Prevention Domains 3 & 6.

About the presenter: Robert F. Lawlor Jr. is a subject matter expert in addiction, policing, investigations, and overdose response, specializing in public health-public safety collaborations to combat the overdose crisis. A former New Haven Police Department supervisor, he held key roles in narcotics enforcement, robbery, and homicide investigations. Since 2015, he has served as Connecticut’s Drug Intelligence Officer with New England HIDTA, working with the Overdose Response Strategy (ORS) to reduce overdoses through data-driven strategies. He holds degrees from POST University, the University of New Haven, and Georgetown University, along with certifications from the DEA and NYPD. A recipient of multiple law enforcement awards, he is also a Mental Health First Aid Instructor and a dedicated advocate for officer well-being.

About the webinar: This webinar is hosted by the New England Prevention Technology Transfer Center, a program funded by SAMHSA. Opinions expressed in this webinar do not represent the official views of SAMHSA/DHHS.

Participants will receive a certificate of completion for 1 contact hour. For Prevention Specialists, this training is pre-approved by the Maine Prevention Certification Board, an IC&RC member board, and is relevant to IC&RC domains 3 and 6 and ATOD topics. CCSME is a designated provider of continuing education contact hours (CECH) in health education by the National Commission of Health Education Credentialing, Inc, for CHES/MCHES certifications.