Schools Step Up Efforts to Fight Opioid Abuse

Schools Step Up Efforts to Fight Opioid Abuse

More schools in the United States are addressing the growing problem of opioid abuse among students by developing proactive prevention education campaigns.

The Wall Street Journal reports that last year, CVS pharmacists made almost 3,000 presentations in schools about the dangers of misusing prescription painkillers. Some schools are using a substance abuse prevention program aimed at students as young as fourth grade.

Others are offering a texting tool that connects students to a licensed therapist. The tool, called Text a Tip, hides teens’ phone numbers so they can ask questions anonymously. More than 100 school districts in California and Illinois are using the program. “We have had kids text at a party and say, ‘There are kids using around me and I don’t know what to do.’ So, we respond and say, ‘Can you distract yourself, can you leave, can you call a friend or adult to pick you up?’” said Dana Slowinski, who oversees the therapist team. “Because what we find is, in the moment kids are not thinking through their options.”

Substance abuse is the most common risk factor impacting youth and society. The science-based prevention education programs offered by InnerAct Alliance to nearly 15,000 students annually have proven to be effective tools in reducing risk factors and strengthening protective factors. InnerAct Alliance has been providing prevention education to youth and adults in the Polk, Hardee and Highlands County communities since 1985. For more information, please call our office at (863) 802-0777.

Source: Join Together the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids  http://www.drugfree.org/news-service/many-schools-try-prevent-opioid-abuse-education-campaigns/