U.S. SURGEON GENERAL, EQUINE THERAPIST AND INTOXICATED-DRIVING SIMULATION TO BE PART OF 2018 ADDICTION STUDIES INSTITUTE TO BE HELD JULY 25-27

(Columbus, July 24, 2018) — A keynote address by the U.S. Surgeon General, an appearance by an equine therapist and an intoxicated-driving simulation are all features of the 28^th Annual Addiction Studies Institute sponsored by Talbot Hall of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center at the SMG-managed Greater Columbus Convention Center (GCCC) from July 25-27.

“The big news is that on Thursday the US. Surgeon General will be joining us as our opening keynote speaker in Hall B. Having a government official of this level accept our invitation is exciting,” noted Eleanor Garrison of Garrison and Associates, the institute manager. “Everyone who attends is a clinician or works for a treatment facility who provides services.”

Sessions begin July 25, with the July 26 plenary session beginning at 8 a.m. and featuring talks on “Addiction and Public Health in the United States” by US. Surgeon General and Vice Admiral Jerome Adams, M.D., and “Prescription Opioids and Pain” by Dr. Marvin Seppala, the chief medical officer at Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation.

Additional highlights include horse-based therapy and a field sobriety test obstacle course.

“This is a nationally certified therapy horse joining us,” added Mark Garrison of Garrison and Associates. “In the obstacle-course area, we will simulate what it is like to be driving while intoxicated by operating electric golf carts under heavy supervision while wearing goggles that emulate different blood-alcohol content levels.”

“It is a great experiential learning piece,” added Eleanor Garrison.

“This event has grown to be the largest Midwest conference of its kind and is attended by dozens of speakers addressing more than 1,000 people representing more than 21 states,” said GCCC General Manager John R. Page.