Heroin and Opioid Awareness Pilot Program

Transcription

1 Heroin and Opioid Awareness Pilot Program Presented to Norwin Board of Education December 5, 2016 Dr. William Kerr, Superintendent of Schools, Norwin School District Mr. Tim Kotch, Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education, Norwin School District Dr. Jason Conway, Executive Director, Westmoreland Intermediate Unit Mr. Joseph Moses, Supervisory Special Agent, Drug Enforcement Administration / Pittsburgh Mr. Tim Phillips, Director, Westmoreland County Drug Overdose Task Force

2 Program Overview The DEA and Discovery Education joined forces to combat a growing epidemic of prescription opioid misuse and heroin use nationwide. Operation Prevention's mission is to educate students about the true impacts of opioids and kick-start lifesaving conversations in the home and classroom.

3 The Heroin and Opioid Epidemic Experts say the problem has been building for years, stemming from the over-prescription of opioid drugs used to treat pain. The epidemic cuts across lines of age, race, gender and wealth, afflicting cities as well as suburbs and rural towns.

4 The Heroin and Opioid Epidemic 44 as Every day in the United States, 44 people die a result of prescription opioid overdose x5 More than 5 times as many women died from prescription painkiller overdoses in 2010 as in 1999 x2 Heroin use more than doubled among young adults ages in the past decade 45% of people who used heroin were also addicted to prescription opioid painkillers SOURCES: VITAL SIGNS TODAY S HEROIN EPIDEMIC, VITAL SIGNS: OPIOID PAINKILLER PRESCRIBING, VITAL SIGNS: PRESCRIPTION PAINKILLER OVERDOSES, NATIONAL VITAL STATISTICS SYSTEM MORTALITY DATA - CDC

5 Westmoreland Intermediate Unit Intermediate units and school districts across southwestern Pennsylvania continue to collaborate and review the Operation Prevention program, which is research-based, embraces best practices, and provides a scope and sequence of lessons with associated resources.

6 Virtual Field Trips STUDENTS EXPERT Q&A A powerful town hall event for students provided unfiltered facts from experts about drugs, addiction, and supporting friends at risk. Live-streamed virtual forum offered unique opportunity for students to interact with experts Featured DEA Administrator Chuck Rosenberg as well as scientists, pharmacologists, recovery experts, and a recovering user Included a downloadable accompanying classroom activity for on-going dialogue Archived at OperationPrevention.com for use year-round

7 STUDENTS VIDEO CHALLENGE Through the upcoming Operation Prevention Video Challenge, students will have the power to send a message to their peers about the dangers of drug abuse second original public service announcement Grand prize - $10,000 Students may enter as individuals or in teams Public voting for top 10 finalist videos Winner of public vote will will a trip to Quantico, VA to train like a DEA Agent for a day. Launching DECEMBER 6, 2016

8 Engaging lessons introduce students to the science behind heroin and prescription opioids physical and neurological effects TEACHERS DIGITAL LESSON BUNDLES Aligned to standards (PA Core and Next Generation Science Standards) for easy classroom integration into middle/high school science and health classes Designed to engage varied learners, enhance digital literacy and increase overall retention of core concepts CONCEPT Through dynamic visuals, video and animations of the brain, digital lesson bundles illuminate: how drugs like prescription opioids and heroin impact pleasure circuits and the flow of neurotransmitters to condition further use how addiction gradually alters the circuitry and structures of the brain to transform behavior

9 TEACHERS SELF-PACED MODULE Students investigate the science of addiction and the impacts of heroin and prescription opioids on the brain and body through a powerful e-learning experience. Combines video, animation, and interactive elements Companion guides for educators and parents for use inschool and at-home CONCEPT Students will explore opioid misuse through three different first-person perspectives. Student voices will narrate unique stories that emphasize signs and symptoms that can help other teens identify an opioid addiction and understand the science of addiction.

10 Provides parents with the knowledge and resources to begin lifesaving conversations, detect warning signs, and take action PARENTS PARENT TOOLKIT The parent toolkit includes - Important statistics on the epidemic The science behind how opioids influence the body Facts and misconceptions about opioid misuse Family discussion starters Warning signs and what they mean Guide to prevention and intervention Additional support resources

11 Classroom Resources Middle School Lesson How do addiction and withdrawal affect the body's many systems? Students examine how drug use alters the mind and body and reinforces their understanding by creating a peer-to-peer social media campaign.

12 Classroom Resources High School Lesson Separate fact from fiction with this classroomready digital lesson. Through investigation and hands-on activities, students learn the science behind prescription opioid and heroin addiction, overdose, and withdrawal.

13 Classroom Resources Parent Toolkit Parents can join the conversation with this family discussion starter. Additional information on the warning signs of drug abuse and a guide to prevention and intervention empower families to reach out.

14 Classroom Resources Student Learning Module (Coming Soon) Students become scientists in this powerful digital learning experience. Investigate the science of addiction and the impacts of heroin and prescription opioids on the brain and body through a self-paced scientific exploration.

15 Implementation Pilot at Norwin Middle School Steering Committee for pilot project Various principals and administrators Health and Physical Education teachers / Dept. Head Parent-Teacher Associations will be asked to partner Parent Workshop (Date T.B.A.)

16 Partnerships FBI Pittsburgh Division / Heroin Outreach Prevention and Education (HOPE) Initiative Drug Enforcement Administration and Discovery Education Westmoreland County Drug and Alcohol Commission Saint Vincent Prevention Projects Norwin Lions / Norwin Reality Tour Norwin Rotary Club Westmoreland Intermediate Unit

17 The Heroin and Opioid Prevention Pilot Program at Norwin Middle School A collaborative effort with interactive dialogue among: Board Members Teachers Administrators Parents The Greater Norwin Community

18 WQED Pittsburgh Documentary

19 WQED Pittsburgh Documentary In response to the growing epidemic, WQED Multimedia aired an original documentary in November called Hope After Heroin: The Epidemic in Our Backyard. Carmen Capozzi of Sage's Army, and Abbey Zorzi, a Norwin graduate and Saint Vincent College student, are featured speakers in the documentary. Sage s Army is Irwin-based and honors the memory of Mr. Capozzi s son Sage, who died of a heroin overdose.

20 WQED Pittsburgh Documentary Nearly 100 Southwestern Pennsylvania agency representatives attended the debut screening of the documentary at WQED studios, which also included a live broadcast of expert panelists discussing the ill effects of substance abuse and the epidemic facing the country.

21 WQED Pittsburgh Documentary The Westmoreland County delegation included: Dr. William Kerr, Superintendent of Schools, Norwin School District Ted Kopas, Westmoreland County Board of Commissioners Tim Phillips, Executive Director, Westmoreland County Drug Overdose Task Force Jonathan Held, Westmoreland County Sherriff Dr. Dirk Matson, Westmoreland County Director of Human Services Donna Kean, Executive Director, Saint Vincent Prevention Projects Colleen Hughes, Executive Director, Westmoreland Drug and Alcohol Commission, Inc. Phil Koch, Executive Director, Community Foundation of Westmoreland County Abbey Zorzi, a Norwin graduate and Saint Vincent College student Carmen Capozzi, Sage s Army

22 WQED Pittsburgh Documentary Hope After Heroin is an educational resource that sends a powerful message about how heroin destroys lives and kills dreams, but also it conveys an inspirational message about hope and promise in recovery for people like Abbey Zorzi, who has made a personal commitment for a life of new beginnings. Major support for Hope After Heroin was provided by the Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, The Pittsburgh Foundation, and the Allegheny Regional Asset District.

23 Questions / Comments Additional Information:

24 Thank You! Dr. William Kerr Superintendent of Schools, Norwin School District Mr. Tim Kotch Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education Norwin School District Dr. Jason Conway Executive Director, Westmoreland Intermediate Unit Mr. Joseph Moses, Supervisory Special Agent Drug Enforcement Administration / Pittsburgh Mr. Tim Phillips, Director Westmoreland County Drug Overdose Task Force