A community engaged learning model to expand student compassion and understanding of the complexities associated with substance use

Stigma surrounding substance use disorders (SUDs) is widespread and has even been identified among healthcare professionals and trainees, highlighting the need for educational interventions that foster compassionate care, understanding, and emphasize approaches that reflect the complexities of drug use. Community engaged learning (CEL) is an evidence-based pedagogy designed to connect classroom learning with real-world applications. Through community driven collaborative projects that integrate classroom learning with real-world experience, students develop the ability to connect scientific knowledge with social understanding. These experiences, combined with structured reflection and traditional assessments, prepare the next generation of pharmacologists that find careers in healthcare, academia, drug discovery or public health to approach their work with greater compassion, and a nuanced awareness of the complexities faced by individuals and communities affected by substance use. In this commentary, we aim to advance the dialogue on how CEL can contribute to a more empathetic, evidence-based approach to SUD care, research, and policy for the next generation.