Drug Abuse

In this video, you will learn:
How to recognize symptoms of an opioid overdose
How to administer NARCAN™ Nasal Spray
How to evaluate and support

REMS – Planning teams at K-12 schools and institutions of higher education (IHEs) can specifically address the risk of opioid-related emergencies, including overdose, in their emergency operations plans (EOPs) by including a Threat- and Hazard-Specific Annex for drug overdose. This fact sheet provides information and strategies for addressing opioid overdoses at K-12 schools and IHEs through EOPs and other preparedness activities.

Renee Shaw and her guests explore the issue of substance use prevention among adolescents. The program looks at the importance of messaging, positive youth development, mental health screening, community coalitions, parent education and more. Part of KET’s ongoing Inside Opioid Addiction initiative.

Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), codeine, morphine, and many others. These drugs are chemically related and interact with opioid receptors on nerve cells in the body and brain. Opioid pain relievers are generally safe when taken for a short time and as prescribed by a doctor, but because they produce euphoria in addition to pain relief, they can be misused (taken in a different way or in a larger quantity than prescribed, or taken without a doctor’s prescription). Regular use—even as prescribed by a doctor—can lead to dependence and, when misused, opioid pain relievers can lead to overdose incidents and deaths. An opioid overdose can be reversed with the drug naloxone when given right away.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) – is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. SAMHSA’s mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities. Below are just a few of the reproducible publications available from SAMHSA:

• Tip for Teens: E:Cigarettes
• Tips for Teens: Tobacco
• Tips for Teens: Marijuana
• Tips for Teens: The Truth about Inhalants
• Tips for Teens: The Truth about Heroin
• Tips for Teens: The Truth about Cocaine
• Tips for Teens: The Truth about Methamphetamine
• Tips for Teens: Steroids
• Tips for Teens: Opioids

This September, all Kentucky schools serving 6th grade and older will receive a toolkit of resources to help staff address e-cigarette use. The kit includes evidence-based prevention curricula, tools to help kids and adults quit tobacco products, free posters and business cards, guidance on developing and enforcing policies, and more!

Ask your principal about the Tobacco-Free Schools Toolkit, or email the Kentucky Tobacco Prevention & Cessation Program at ky.tobaccofree@ky.gov.

Parents & Educators – Get educational resources and find the latest science-based information about the health effects and consequences of drug abuse and addiction and resources for talking with kids about the impact of drug use on health. National Institute of Drug Abuse

List of currently open grant competitions – Application packages are available for grant competitions that are currently open. (Latest closing dates are at the top of the list). Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools (U.S. Department of Education)

KDE collaborates with the Kentucky Center for School Safety to provide training … resources and informational links regarding Safe and Drug Free Schools. … current school safety statutes, which took effect on June 25, 2013.

What is National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week®? National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week®, or NDAFW, is an annual, week-long, health observance that inspires dialogue about the science of drug use and addiction among youth. It provides an opportunity to bring together scientists, students, educators, healthcare providers, and community partners—to help advance the science, so that we can improve the prevention and awareness of substance misuse in our own communities and nationwide. (National Institute of Drug Abuse)

SAMHSA – The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) measures: use of illegal drugs, prescription drugs, alcohol, and tobacco & mental disorders, treatment, and co-occurring substance use and mental disorders. The data provides estimates of substance use and mental illness at the national, state, and sub-state levels.