SAFE GC Coalition: Opioid Prevention for Latinx Communities

Addiction Policy Forum has recently launched a public health media campaign to help prevent adolescent substance use entitled “Campaña de Prevención de Opioides.”

Given recent increases in overdose deaths among LatinX communities the campaign was created with support from the AmerisourceBergen Foundation. The Campaign features key information about opioids and guidance for parents and teachers on how to prevent opioid misuse, providing critical prevention information on Opioid Use Disorder (OUD).

Overdose rates have risen among youth in recent decades and the majority of individuals treated for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) began using before the age of 25. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 7 high school students say that they have misused prescriptions at least once. Adolescence remains a critical time for brain development and a vulnerable period for substance use. Youth with substance use disorders also experience higher rates of physical and mental illnesses, diminished overall health and well-being.

According to the CDC:

• 15% of high school students reported having ever used select illicit or injection drugs (i.e. cocaine, inhalants, heroin, methamphetamines, hallucinogens, or ecstasy)
• 14% of students reported misusing prescription opioids.
• Injection drug use places youth at direct risk for HIV, and drug use broadly places youth at risk of overdose.
• Youth opioid use is directly linked to sexual risk behaviors.
• Students who report ever using prescription drugs without a doctor’s prescription are more likely than other students to have been the victim of physical or sexual dating violence.
• Drug use is associated with sexual risk behavior, experience of violence, and mental health and suicide risks.

The Addiction Policy Forum was created by families impacted by Opioid Use Disorder, working in states and communities across the country to end stigma, help patients and families in crisis and translate the science around addiction and is a nationwide nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating addiction as a major health problem. For more information please visit www.addictionpolicy.org. To access the Spanish translated Opioid Prevention Campaign webpage, pleased visit https://www.addictionpolicy.org/opioid-prevention-campaign-spanish.

The SAFE Glen Cove Coalition is conducting an opioid prevention awareness campaign entitled. “Keeping Glen Cove SAFE,” in order to educate and update the community regarding opioid use and its consequences. To learn more about the SAFE Glen Cove Coalition please follow us on www.facebook.com/safeglencovecoalition or visit SAFE’s website to learn more about the Opioid Epidemic at www.safeglencove.org.