Addressing the Overlapping Issues of Substance Use and Human Trafficking
Caroline Palmer, JD, MPH; Sophia Maceda, BA & Shunu Shrestha, MA | September 18 | 9:45-10:45 am EDT
Topic: Conceptual, Direct Service | Knowledge Level: Beginner
Substances are often used in the process of recruiting, grooming, and controlling victims of human trafficking, and victims and survivors may rely on substances to cope with their victimization and other traumatic experiences. They often experience compounded stigma and shame, and may even be criminalized or penalized, facing various challenges to getting their needs appropriately met through community-based services and systems responses. Often, providers working to address substance use and providers working to respond to trafficking are siloed from one another, sometimes lacking the appropriate training and resources to properly identify, refer, and provide services to individuals. Presenters will review public health data related to drug overdoses in Minnesota and will also review data collected and analyzed from the Minnesota Student Survey showcasing which youth are most impacted by this overlapping issue, focusing on different experiences they have compared to their peers. Presenters will also use research conducted by Caroline Palmer and reviewed by Subject Matter Experts with Lived Experience in Minnesota to explore how substances are used in trafficking and how systemic barriers and service gaps impact victims and survivors’ access to adequate services and support, including opportunities to exit trafficking and exploitation and recover from addiction. Understanding how substance use, exploitation, and trafficking overlap is key to increasing proper identification of individuals at this intersection and promoting a person-centered, trauma-informed, harm-reducing, appropriate, and timely response. Presenters will share key recommendations for providers and stakeholders including examples of projects, initiatives, and approaches from Minnesota.
Presentation Objectives:
• Review Minnesota data and research highlighting the overlapping issues of substance use and human trafficking, including disparities faced by certain populations and common experiences amongst youth
• Explore the various gaps and challenges faced by victims and survivors who use substances
• Share key recommendations for providers and other stakeholders seeking to understand and address the overlapping public health issues of substance use and human trafficking