Difference between revisions of "Prevent First Time Use and Misuse through Education"

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One of the most effective tools we have to stop substance use disorder is to prevent people, especially young people, from ever starting to use substances in the first place. 
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SWITCHING TO "Activating Your Community
  
 
= Background =
 
= Background =
  
<br/> The risk of a parent’s prescription drugs getting to their children is a real concern that must be<br/> addressed by any prevention effort. The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids states “Two-thirds of teens and<br/> young adults who report abuse of prescription medicine are getting it from friends, family and<br/> acquaintances. Make sure the young people in your life don’t have access to any medications in your<br/> home. Follow these three steps to monitor, secure and properly dispose of unused and expired<br/> prescription and over-the-counter medicine in your home.”<ref>“Safeguard Against Medicine Abuse: Securing and Disposing Medications.” Where Families Find
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There are many barriers that prevent and limit the efforts of communities to address drug misuse and substance use disorder.&nbsp; The topic is uncomfortabe for many, and stigma exists at the community, famiy, and individual level.&nbsp; Often there is a lack of leadership and champions who are willing to make improving local response a top priority.&nbsp; Leadership is needed among multiple leaders - from elected and health officials, public safety entities, and community leaders already working along the continuum of care.&nbsp; In addition, these leaders need to effectively coordinate their efforts.
Answers on Substance Use | Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, drugfree.org/article/secure-
 
dispose-of-medicine-properly/.</ref>&nbsp;According to the&nbsp;[[2017_NSDUH_AnnualNational_Report|2017 NSDUH Annual<br/> National Report]]: “ An estimated 316,000 adolescents aged 12 to 17 misused prescription pain relievers<br/> for the first time in 2017 -- that’s 900 adolescents each day.&nbsp;<ref>https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/2017-nsduh-annual-national-report</ref> Approximately 217,000 adolescents aged 12<br/> to 17, misused prescription stimulants for the first time in 2017 – that’s 600 adolescents each day.”<br/> Understanding how to keep your prescription medications safe is essential to preventing youth from<br/> being able to access them.<br/> <br/> &nbsp;
 
  
= Tools and Resources =
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Public education and awareness is also essential to activating a local community.&nbsp; Residents need to know the unvarnished reality of what is taking place.&nbsp; They need to what the problem is, and what needs to be done to improve the local response and save lives.&nbsp; In addition to be educated, local residents also need to be involved in the the process.&nbsp; The people are the community, and many have first-hand experience with durg misuse and SUD.&nbsp; Many others have lived experience with family and friends who are struggling with these issues, and their&nbsp;input and participation is needed to create a comprehsive and effective response.
  
The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids provides resources on how to address medicine abuse [1]
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[[TR_-_Educate_Communities_to_Prevent_First-Time_Use_and_Misuse|Solutions and Tools focused on this objective.]]
 
[[TR_-_Educate_Communities_to_Prevent_First-Time_Use_and_Misuse|Solutions and Tools focused on this objective.]]

Revision as of 19:24, 12 October 2020

Return to Opioid Top-Level Strategy Map 


SWITCHING TO "Activating Your Community

Background

There are many barriers that prevent and limit the efforts of communities to address drug misuse and substance use disorder.  The topic is uncomfortabe for many, and stigma exists at the community, famiy, and individual level.  Often there is a lack of leadership and champions who are willing to make improving local response a top priority.  Leadership is needed among multiple leaders - from elected and health officials, public safety entities, and community leaders already working along the continuum of care.  In addition, these leaders need to effectively coordinate their efforts.

Public education and awareness is also essential to activating a local community.  Residents need to know the unvarnished reality of what is taking place.  They need to what the problem is, and what needs to be done to improve the local response and save lives.  In addition to be educated, local residents also need to be involved in the the process.  The people are the community, and many have first-hand experience with durg misuse and SUD.  Many others have lived experience with family and friends who are struggling with these issues, and their input and participation is needed to create a comprehsive and effective response.

 

 

Solutions and Tools focused on this objective.

Promising Practices and Case Studies

 

 

Sources