New Opioid Prevention Campaign Includes a Free Toolkit of Resources for Parents, Educators, and Youth Leaders to Reduce Youth Opioid Misuse
(December 7, 2021) North Bethesda, Maryland - Today Addiction Policy Forum, a national nonprofit, launched the Opioid Preventions Campaign for LatinX communities, “Campaña de Prevención de Opioides.” The campaign, which was supported by a grant from the AmerisourceBergen Foundation, provides open-source prevention materials for Spanish-speaking communities and families.
“With Campaña de Prevención de Opioides communities have access to evidence-based prevention resources translated into Spanish,” shared Jessica Hulsey, Executive Director of the Addiction Policy Forum. “Prevention is a critical piece to solving the opioid and addiction crisis, and needed tools must be tested and customized for our most underserved communities.”
Science tells us that addiction starts as an adolescent brain disorder, but most interventions do not occur until after the disease has progressed. In fact, two out of three adults with an opioid use disorder (OUD) initiated first use when they were younger than 25, while the overdose death rate tripled for youth over the last two decades.
With other growing substance risks emerging among youth, like vaping and marijuana use, opioid misuse is now part of a dangerous mix that must be immediately addressed. As addiction impacts families, friends, peers, and entire communities, youth substance challenges cannot be dismissed as harmless experimentation.
“We know that adolescence is a critical time for brain development. By tailoring these resources toward LatinX communities, we are working to ensure these important prevention strategies are available in Spanish speaking communities. If we can work to delay an adolescent’s first use of substances, we can help prevent addiction,” stated District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett, Chair of the Addiction Policy Forum Board of Directors.
The Toolkit can be accessed by visiting https://bit.ly/3odzZiZ. With questions regarding the campaign, please contact Haley Tenney at htenney@addictionpolicy.org.
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About Addiction Policy Forum
Addiction Policy Forum is a nationwide nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating addiction as a major health problem. Our national headquarters are located in North Bethesda, MD with resources and services in every state. More information on our mission and projects is available at our website, https://www.addictionpolicy.org.
About the AmerisourceBergen Foundation
The AmerisourceBergen Foundation is an independent not-for-profit charitable giving organization established by AmerisourceBergen Corporation to support health-related causes that enrich that global community. The Foundation aims to improve the health and well-being of its patient populations – both human and animal – by investing in its communities. Through strategic partnerships and community collaboration, the Foundation works to expand access to quality healthcare and provide resources to ensure prescription drug safety. For more information, visit www.amerisourcebergenfoundation.org.