Program providers may find the following resources especially helpful in educating themselves on the opioid epidemic. Among this list are a number of items suitable for distribution within a community.
Opioid Epidemic Practical Toolkit: Helping Faith and Community Leaders Bring Hope and Healing to Our Communities
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
A collection of practical resources to help faith-based organizations take action in combating opioid abuse.
Steps We Can Take to Prevent Opioid Abuse (Letter to the Editor)
Gilbert J. Botvin, developer of LifeSkills Training, 2016.
New York Times article addressing the opioid epidemic regarding the need for effective prevention programs that can dramatically decrease drug abuse, delinquency, aggression and violence. Some of the specific programs mentioned include LifeSkills Training (LST), Strengthening Families Program (SFP) & Communities That Care (CTC). The letter suggests an increased emphasis on prevention in combating the growing epidemic of prescription opioid abuse.
Providers can utilize this resource to remind their community members and the media that treatment is not the only avenue and answer to the opioid epidemic. Prevention programs are key to targeting the issue before it begins. Many programs provide years of research on proving positive outcomes on the specific issues involved in what has become an opioid epidemic.
PARENT TALK KIT: Tips for Talking and What to Say to Prevent Drug and Alcohol Abuse
The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids website, 2014.
Document regarding drug and alcohol prevention with youth (preschool to young adults; 3-25 year olds). The document presents real life situations about drugs and children and illustrates how they should be addressed. Examples include: 1.Your child is just starting middle school and you know that eventually, he will be offered drugs and alcohol; 2.Your child has expressed curiosity about the pills she sees you take every day — and the other bottles in the medicine cabinet.
Providers can distribute this resource as additional material for parents who are concerned about the opioid crisis.
Preventing Teen Prescription Medicine Abuse
The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids website, 2014.
Fact Sheet designed to educate on prescription medicine abuse. Topics include: what it is, why and how many teens are doing this, risks, and what should parents do.
Providers can distribute this resource to parents to educate on prescription medicine abuse.
Parents - Learn how to prevent prescription drug abuse in your home
The Seminole Prevention Coalition website
Website geared towards preventing teen prescription drug access. Information on how to properly dispose of prescription abuse as well as discussing with teens the dangers related to prescription drug use. This would be of interest providers, and parents in understanding best practice of preventing drug abuse in the home, securing what is there and properly disposing of prescription when needed.
Providers can access or direct parents to this website for information on understanding the best practice of preventing drug abuse in the home, securing medications, and how to properly dispose of prescription medication.
PAStop.org
The Commonwealth Prevention Alliance Campaign To Stop Opiate Abuse website
Campaign funded through a grant from the PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). A workgroup of partners has developed free materials about opiate addiction for D&A professionals to download and distribute, as well as information and resources for anyone looking for HELP. PA Stop is designed to educate Pennsylvanians about the risks of prescription painkiller and heroin use, the relationship between painkiller and heroin use, and what to do when you need help.
Providers can access this website to obtain free materials to download/distribute in order to educate their communities about risks of prescription painkillers and heroin use, the relationship between both, and what to do if you need help.
LifeSkills Training Shields Teens from Prescription Opioid Misuse
Eric Sarlin, M.Ed., M.A., NIDA Notes Contributing Writer, 2015.
Discusses the effectiveness of LST for substance abuse prevention; including opioids. Evaluates the impact of LST and two other school-based interventions- All Stars (AS) and Project Alert (PA)- on teens’ prescription opioid misuse. It specifically mentions PROSPER, LifeSkills Training(LST), Strengthening Families Program(SFP), Project Alert (PA), and All Stars (AS).
Providers can access or direct parents to this web based article to obtain information regarding the effectiveness and impact of LifeSkills Training (LST), All Stars (AS), and Project Alert (PA), on teens' prescription opioid misuse.
NIDA/NIH
National Institutes of Health/National Institute on Drug Abuse website
Up-to-date information on commonly abused substances. It Includes multiple resources for prevention and education for a broad range of audiences. Policy makers, providers and parents can Benefit from this website due to its broad range of resources and frequently updated information.
Providers can access this site to receive the most up-to-date information on commonly used drugs: descriptions, street names, drug effects, trends, etc. It assists them while working with youth and families as well as it can be an incredibly useful resource to pass along to parents and/or caregivers.
EBP Substance Abuse RCT Outcomes and PA Local Outcomes
Factsheet from the EPIS
Highlights substance abuse outcomes, the number of youth served from 2014-2015, and the impact from data collected. This would be of interest to Policy makers and programs as it outlines Outcomes/Impacts of Evidence based programs as well as providing information regarding the setting and model of those programs.
Providers can use this resource for the recent data on substance abuse outcomes from EBPs they might be exploring to address their community's risk & protective factors. Good reference for a provider to take to their coalition for discussion.
The Social Development Strategy
Hawkins and Catalano, from The Center for Communities That Care website, Social Development Research Group, School of Social Work, University of Washington
Web based resource that outlines CTC’s Social Development Strategy that promotes positive youth development. This strategy organizes the knowledge on what protects young people from developing health and behavior problems into an easy-to-use strategy. This resource focuses on the CTC protective factor strategy that promotes social bonding, clear standards, individual characteristics, opportunities, skills, and recognition.
If providers are not familiar with this model, then this resource is for them, particularly if they are working with their local CTC and/or a coalition recently formed of which a provider is involved in. Outlines the paths to both positive and problem behaviors.
OverdoseFreePA
University of Pittsburgh, Program Evaluation and Research Unit website
OverdoseFreePA is a collaboration between six partner organizations and sixteen Pennsylvania communities involved with overdose prevention and recovery activities. These communities are collaborating to develop resources that can be used by all Pennsylvanians to learn more about overdose and the way substance use disorders (SUD) affect people, families, and communities. By working together to create a central overdose resource, the treatment and prevention efforts in these communities will be increased. The overall goal of this project is to increase community awareness and knowledge of overdose and overdose prevention strategies as well as to support initiatives aimed at decreasing drug overdoses and deaths within the participating counties.
Providers can utilize this one-stop site to increase their awareness of substance abuse and addiction, but especially for information on the opioid epidemic. Will be able to educate providers on the latest information, which they can then take back to their local coalitions, community supporters, and the people they serve.
Pennsylvania Drug Take-Back Locations
Pennsylvania Department of Drug & Alcohol Programs website
This site allows you to search for prescription drug take-back locations in your county. Use either your zip code, or your county to help you find your local prescription drop-offs.
Providers can remind their local community members to access this site in order to locate local drug take-back locations. Dropping off unused, unnecessary medication will keep the drugs out of the hands of those who the drugs weren't prescribed for.
Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association (SAMHSA) website
A confidential and anonymous source of information for persons seeking treatment facilities in the United States or U.S. Territories for substance abuse/addiction and/or mental health problems.
Providers can access this site if they are looking to refer a client to a Behavioral Treatment Service Location.
SAMSHA Opioid Overdose Prevention Toolkit
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association (SAMHSA)
Facts for Community Members, Five Essential Steps for First Responders, Information for Prescribers, and Safety Advice for Patients & Family Members Recovering From Opioid Overdose.
Providers can access this site to receive five essential steps for first responders as well as information on prescribing medication for professionals.