The West Virginia Drug Intervention Institute is sponsoring and hosting a webinar with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) to address how the opioid crisis, a pressing public health issue, is significantly and adversely affecting schools and communities across the United States.

 

Equipping Schools with Tools for Overdose Prevention & Response

June 5th, 2024 at 3:00 PM

 

REGISTER NOW

 

The surge of fentanyl in the illicit and counterfeit drug market has led to a dramatic increase in overdose incidents. Notably, overdose fatalities among individuals aged 14-18 surged by 94% from 2019 to 2020 and by 20% from 2020 to 2021. The widespread availability of illicitly manufactured fentanyl, the proliferation of counterfeit pills mimicking prescription medications, and the ease of acquiring these pills via social media have significantly heightened the risk of fatal overdoses among young people, particularly adolescents.

 

Moderator:

Heather McDaniel, Vice President, Drug Intervention Insitute

 

Panelists:

Dr. Susan Bissett, President, Drug Intervention Institute

Jeff Hill, Executive Director, Wilson County Substance Prevention Coalition

John G. Kennedy, MA, M.Div., Director of School-Based & Behavioral Health Services, West Virginia Primary Care Association, Inc. (WVPCA)

 

Participants will:

1. Understand the scope of the program (the opioid crisis and in particular, the prevalence of fentanyl in America’s Drug Supply;

2. Learn how young persons are particularly at risk for overdose, and

3. Explore methods and tools for educating young persons and preventing/responding to overdose on the school campus.