With Bianca SantaMaria & Raymond G. Valenzuela
When
Where
Learning Objectives
- Identify at least three specific classes of emerging drugs (e.g., nitazenes, novel benzodiazepines, and synthetic cathinones).
- Recognize common street names and marketing tactics used for these substances.
- Explain why the mixing of opioids (fentanyl mixed with xylazine) poses a unique challenge to standard overdose reversal protocols.
Bianca SantaMaria: Bianca SantaMaria, MPH works on the Overdose Data 2 Action-State (OD2A-S) grant at the University of Arizona, Center for Rural Health, and the Maricopa Opioid Prevention Program at the College of Public Health. She led the development and facilitation of Overdose recognition and Naloxone Administration training, as well as program operations and coordination. She is an author on “Opioid stewardship program implementation in rural and critical access hospitals in Arizona, "which was published last year. Her background is in substance use, clinical research, health promotion, and harm reduction. She is pursuing her PhD at the University of Arizona.
Raymond G. Valenzuela: Raymond G. Valenzuela Jr., MPH, is a public health professional with more than a decade of experience advancing health equity, tribal engagement, and community-based research across Arizona. He currently serves as a Research Program Administration Officer III with the University of Arizona’s Center for Rural Health, where he leads outreach and education initiatives focused on opioid prevention and response in tribal and rural communities. Raymond’s career bridges academic research, public health program management, and tribal partnership development. With a Master of Public Health from A.T. Still University and a Bachelor of Arts in Mexican American Studies from the University of Arizona. Raymond combines a deep understanding of cultural context with evidence-based approaches to health promotion. His work continues to focus on improving health outcomes in Native and rural communities through collaboration, education, and data-driven public health practice.