(WNY News Now) – Truth Initiative and EVERFI partner to deliver a comprehensive digital resource, supported by the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, to empower students in grades 8-12 with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about prescription drugs and understand the risks associated with fentanyl and counterfeit pills.
Harrisburg – Truth Initiative, renowned for its effective youth tobacco and opioid prevention campaigns, has joined forces with EVERFI, a leader in social impact education, to launch a groundbreaking digital course named Prescription Drug Safety: Know the truth. Supported by the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General’s Community Drug Abuse Prevention grant program, this initiative aims to equip students in grades 8-12 across the Commonwealth with essential knowledge and skills to navigate the complexities of prescription drug use responsibly.
The urgency of this initiative is underscored by the alarming statistics surrounding prescription drug misuse among adolescents. Fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, has been implicated in a staggering 84% of reported adolescent drug overdose deaths between 2019 and 2021. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 12.2% of high school students nationally, and 9% in Pennsylvania, have misused prescription opioids, with nearly half reporting recent misuse. Moreover, the rise in overdose deaths attributed to counterfeit pills, doubling from 2019 to 2021, highlights the pressing need for proactive education and prevention measures.
Prescription Drug Safety: Know the truth employs engaging, interactive modules featuring real-life scenarios and personal narratives to educate students on the appropriate use of prescription drugs, the risks of misuse, and the potentially devastating consequences of addiction. By fostering an understanding of fentanyl’s dangers and the proliferation of counterfeit drugs, the course empowers students to safeguard their health and well-being, as well as that of their communities.
Kathy Crosby, CEO and President of Truth Initiative, emphasizes the importance of equipping youth with the tools to combat prescription drug misuse, stating, “Prescription Drug Safety: Know the truth will empower Pennsylvania youth to become safe and informed users of medication, while also providing the tools to recognize and respond to an overdose situation.”
Recognizing the critical role of educators and school personnel in delivering this vital education, Truth Initiative and EVERFI will collaborate with stakeholders at the local level to ensure the seamless integration of the program into existing curricula. The course aligns with national efforts to address the opioid crisis, with increasing emphasis on equipping schools with naloxone, a life-saving medication for opioid overdose reversal.
Ray Martinez, co-founder and president of EVERFI from Blackbaud, commends Attorney General Michelle Henry for her commitment to deploying this educational initiative statewide, emphasizing the program’s potential to drive responsible behavior among teens and mitigate the impact of the opioid and fentanyl crisis.
A recent independent study confirms the efficacy of EVERFI’s Prescription Drug Safety course, demonstrating its positive and enduring impact on students’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding safe prescription drug use across diverse demographics.
Attorney General Michelle Henry underscores the significance of education in empowering youth to make informed choices, stating, “Through education, we can empower young people and communities to grow stronger, safer, and more prosperous.”
Prescription Drug Safety: Know the truth represents the latest collaboration between Truth Initiative and EVERFI, following successful partnerships on initiatives such as Vaping: Know the truth and This is Quitting. Available to schools at no cost, this comprehensive digital resource reflects a shared commitment to promoting youth well-being and combating substance misuse.
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