Substance Use Prevention
At DCCCA we believe prevention is rooted in connection, community, and evidence-based education. We work to foster healthier communities by coordinating prevention projects throughout Oklahoma to empower communities to make positive change that reduces the risks associated with substance use, suicide, and mental health challenges.
While substance misuse continues to impact our state at increasing rates, there is positive change occurring through intentional prevention education and resource distribution. In 2023, the Oklahoma State Department of Health reported 801 reported opioid-related fatal overdoses. Methamphetamine use caused 813 reported fatal overdoses, the highest of any substance. State data also shows a 40% increase in fatal cocaine-related overdose from 2022 to 2023. Additionally, highly potent substances such as xylazine and nitazenes are increasingly emerging in lab tests of illicit opioids and stimulants. However, through community education on overdose response and connection to Naloxone, the rate of non-fatal opioid overdose has increased at the highest rate in five years, saving lives and making a path to recovery possible for over 1,000 people in 2023 alone.
DCCCA works diligently to build partnerships with schools, community organizations, faith-based programs, government agencies, and other organizations dedicated to promoting protective factors and reducing substance use in our communities. Our substance misuse services include:
– Evidence-based prevention trainings
· Overdose and naloxone training
· Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM),
· Strategic prevention planning for schools and communities
· Handle With Care Model
· Strategic Prevention Framework Process
– Community Awareness & Education
– Connection to Free Prevention Resources
Course Summary:
Fatal overdoses in Oklahoma County have more than doubled since 2019. During this training we will review the four waves of Opioid Overdose Deaths and the impact of fentanyl and illicitly manufactured drugs in driving these fatalities. Delving into localized data specific to Oklahoma County, this training will provide insights into the prevalence of overdose incidents and substance misuse concerning both opioids and stimulants. After this session, attendees will be able to recognize signs of Opioid and Stimulant overdoses, when to administer Naloxone and how to administer it appropriately. We will discuss prevention strategies that focus on increasing protective factors within a community including safe use, safe storage and safe disposal of prescription medications. Additionally, we will discuss developing a self-care plan after responding to an overdose.
Learning Objectives:
- Explore the impact of fentanyl and illicitly manufactured drugs on opioid overdose deaths
- Learn how polysubstance use of opioids and stimulants is impacting overdose deaths.
- Understand how to recognize signs of an overdose and administer naloxone during an opioid emergency.
- Discuss prevention strategies that focus on increasing protective factors within a community.
This course is designed to prepare attendees for first aid, CPR, and use an automated external defibrillator (AED) in a safe, timely, and effective manner. Attendees will also learn how to administer Naloxone in opioid overdose emergencies and will receive a Naloxone kit.
Certification will be awarded after successful completion of this four-hour course.
Must have five attendees registered to hold the class.
Naloxone is a safe and effective way to reverse an opioid overdose and potentially save a life. Get a FREE kit shipped to you in Oklahoma by visiting okimready.org/overdose.
To get trained on how to administer Naloxone, please contact: okprev@dccca.org
Children must feel safe in order to learn. Handle With Care (HWC) Oklahoma is designed to advance partnerships between law enforcement, schools, and behavioral/social/health provides to create a safe and supportive academic environment for all including children recently exposed to a traumatic event known as “Adverse childhood experiences” (ACES).
DCCCA acts as a training and implementation partner for Handle with Care Oklahoma by offering training to schools, law enforcement and agencies providing behavioral/social/health services on how to implement HWC. This training is also eligible for CLEET hours in Oklahoma.
To learn more about Handle with Care or inquire about getting trained please contact okprev@dccca.org.
About SUPA (Substance Use Prevention Alliance of Oklahoma County):
Our coalition, the Substance Use Prevention Alliance (SUPA) engages with community members through education, awareness campaigns, and prevention activities to decrease the number of Oklahomans impacted by substance use. SUPA consists of community volunteers working in tandem with professionals to implement evidence-based solutions that promote protective factors, address areas of growth within social determinant of health, and implement substance misuse strategies.
Coalition Highlights:
– Focus on Oklahoma County Families & People of all ages
– Monthly hybrid meetings
– Open for new membership
Join us in providing education and resources in the community that promote positive healthy actions families can take to engage in prevention by contacting us at okprev@dccca.org
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Medication Disposal
The facts:
- Disposing of medications in the trash or down the toilet can impact the environment as well as the community.
What can you do?
- Safely dispose of any unwanted/unused/expired medications at a medication disposal site. Link here:
- Never save medications for future use to prevent misuse.
Medication Storage
The facts:
- Often the first exposure to misuse of medications is through a loved one or family member’s medications.
- In 2020, 49% of all calls to the Poison Helpline involving children under 5 years of age involved medications.
What can you do?
- Safely store prescription medications in a locked location.
- Find a pharmacy drop box near you! Click Here
- Store pets’ prescription medications safely as the can also be misused.
Safe Use of Prescription Medications
The facts:
- Misuse of prescription medications can be intentional or unintentional
- There were 655 unintentional drug overdoses in OK County in 2019
What can you do?
- Never share prescription medications with anyone
- Never take prescription medications that are not prescribed to you
- Never take a different dosage of a prescribed medication
- Check for potential interactions with other substances like Alcohol
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