The California Biotechnology Foundation, California Bio-Pharma Labor Management Association, PhRMA, State Building and Construction Trades Council, the Los Angeles Electrical Contractors Association and Biocom hosted an educational briefing and reception in Southern California on best practices and standard of care related to treating Opioid Use Disorder (OUD).

The event included over 60 attendees, including life sciences companies, union workers and managers, legislative staff, higher education institutions, healthcare stakeholders and medical experts.

Participants heard compelling presentations about OUD by experts from across the U.S. including:

• Ken Bachrach, Ph.D.,Clinical Director of Tarzana Treatment Centers, a fully integrated substance use disorder treatment center where they detox patients, align patient goals with MAT, and provide counseling. Tarzana has been selected as a “Hub” in the state opioid plan. Dr. Bachrach discussed the advantages of having fully integrated treatment centers.
• Candace Facio, BSHARN, Clinical Manager for the Electrical Workers Health and Welfare Trust Fund, IBEW #357. Candace discussed her work as a case manager and patient advocate providing health care education to improve Electrical Workers’ health. Her work includes 24/7 case management services to answer any member questions, concerns, and medical crises intervention with the goal of reducing hospitalizations and emergency room visits.
• Travis Bornstein, Founder of Hope United which he established with his wife Shelly to bring awareness and support to families struggling with addiction. Travis discussed their family’s OUD journey after their 23-year old son, Tyler, died from an overdose. Travis also discussed their work with Hope United and Breaking Barriers, a nonprofit organization  and program focused on raising awareness to the harm of opioid use, as well as and three additional faith-based support programs to offer hope, healing, and restoration.   

For more information about the briefing contact Patty Cooper at [email protected] or 916.764.2434.