Finding the right mix of volunteers for local prevention efforts can be tricky. No one wants to waste valuable time or resources, but we are left with a series of questions as we look to involve the next generation of leaders, including young adults (ages 18-25) throughout the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) process. What’s their incentive? Who are their connections? Where is their help most needed? How do we bring them into the fold? During this session we will go beyond wishing, hoping, and dreaming that our strategies are sticky enough to move Gen Z (and others) to join local prevention efforts.
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) is the name given to a group of battery-operated tobacco products that allow users to inhale aerosolized liquid (e-juice) containing nicotine and other substances.
The terms “e-cigarettes” and “e-cigs” are often used for electronic cigarettes, as well as for e-pens, e-pipes, e-hookah, and e-cigars. These products are also sometimes called “JUULs” (after a branded e-cigarette of the same name), “vapes,” and “vape pens.”
Unlike traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes are made up of a battery-operated heating part — a cartridge (unit) that typically holds nicotine and other chemicals that change into a chemical-filled aerosol when heated.
The Guide to the Eight Professional Competencies for Higher Education Substance Misuse Prevention (Professional Competencies Guide) was developed to provide a broad understanding of the range of skills necessary for orchestrating comprehensive campus prevention efforts. With the active engagement of seasoned personnel with extensive experience surrounding campus substance misuse prevention efforts, the resulting compilation organizes competencies within eight core areas; further, it provides specific resources helpful for each of these areas and for overall professional development. As a whole, this Professional Competencies Guide provides a current framework that helps campus leaders and dedicated professionals move things forward, to work more efficiently, and to be more effective.
According to the CDC, there were over 107,000 fatal overdoses in the U.S. in 2021. This figure is staggering. Each number represents a unique life that was lost in the addiction crisis. It also raises an important question: who is being most affected by this epidemic?
According to SAMHSA, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the BIPOC community is most at risk for developing addiction. BIPOC stands for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.
Stress, trauma, housing discrimination, racism, hate crimes, and systemic pressures drastically increase the risk of developing addiction.
According to several studies, Black individuals in particular are at risk for addiction. Within the last 5 years, there has been a rise in opioid-related overdoses among Black Americans. During this time period, Black people accounted for 43% of all overdoses. This is especially jarring since Black people only make up approximately 12% of the general population.
BIPOC individuals also face barriers when trying to access treatment. These barriers can take the form of familial stigma, cultural stigma, limited healthcare access, systemic discrimination, and regulatory barriers.
Parents and educators will find the following short videos helpful in identifying the risks of youth drug and alcohol use. The University of Virginia’s Gordie Center released this video series in partnership with Region Ten Community Services Board. To learn more, go to https://regionten.org/blog/talk/.
Providing up-to-date resources and reports to the community. Focusing on youth and teen resources, parents resources, provider resources, school resources, rural resources, and campaigns and toolkits.
Online training for athletes about the impact of alcohol and other drugs on athletic performance
A toolkit on cannabis use on college campuses.
Cannabis Symposium at Metropolitan State University of Denver
The Standards of Practice for Health Promotion in Higher Education serve as a guiding document for professionals who conduct, support, supervise, or have oversight over departments facilitating health promotion processes on their respective campuses.
This fact sheet discusses the facts on college drinking and what that looks like.
This fact sheet goes over the prevalence and consequences of prescription drug use among college students.