Social Networks: Drug User Health in the Digital Space
To The Point Maryland Podcast: Season 1, Episode 5
In this episode, we take a fresh look at the role of social media in advancing drug user health efforts. While social media often gets a bad reputation, it can also be a powerful tool for education, outreach, and community connection. Join us as we explore how organizations can leverage digital platforms to expand health messaging, reduce stigma, and engage communities more effectively—while navigating important considerations related to safety, privacy, and misinformation. We’ll discuss practical strategies, lessons learned, and opportunities to use social media as a force for positive change.
Host
Amalia Amy Zamot, MS, CHRC (Senior Capacity Building Assistance Manager) has served as a frontline Community Health Worker for more than 25 years, with a focus on HIV/STI/HCV and Substance Use. She has extensive experience serving as a liaison between the community and the Department of Health providing direct services to ethnic and racial minority populations throughout large geographic areas. Miss Zamot has been featured in several television and social media outlets such as Lee Pitts Live, Wink news, Fox news and others throughout her career. She is passionate about impacting lives and spreading the word about prevention and treatment for all.
Speaker
Zak Stansbury is a public health and behavioral health professional with nearly a decade of experience working at the intersection of drug user health, criminal justice reform, and community-based services. His work has spanned outreach, case management, and program development with a consistent focus on meeting people where they are and delivering services without judgment. Zak has managed a range of community-based programs including Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) case management, reentry services, and drug user health initiatives connecting vulnerable populations to care. He is completing his Master of Social Work with a focus on macro social work practice.
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