University to host panel discussion on treatment for addiction, March 26

(March 20, 2015) — Carson-Newman University’s Department of Nursing will host a panel discussion about treatment for addiction Thursday, March 26.

The event is free and open to the public.

Panelists include the following:

Dr. William Blevins, professor emeritus and director of the Blevins Institute for Spirituality and Mental Health at Carson-Newman.

Dr. Rikki Halavonich, psychiatrist and medical director of Behavioral Health Group in Knoxville.

Stacy Blue, program director of Behavioral Health Group.

Circuit Judge Duane Slone, founder of the Jefferson County Drug Recovery Court.

Steven Duncan, social worker and manager of Knox Area Rescue Ministries Welcome Center.

Mary LePage, an advanced practice mental health nurse and visiting instructor of nursing at Carson-Newman University, will moderate the discussion. LePage, who organized the panel, said shedding light on addiction treatments is vital because most families have been affected by addiction at this point.

“There are people from different professions who are addressing this problem from different approaches and they all have such a heart for helping these people,” LePage said. “So to bring these approaches together on a panel makes for a very holistic discussion.”

Panelists will answer questions and discuss addiction treatments such as methadone, financial concerns, spirituality and more from 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in Thomas Recital Hall located in Tarr Music Center.