Opioid and substance use prevention resources for adult role models working with youth.

Adults who are role models  - like parents, teachers, and mentors – play an important part in helping young people grow and stay healthy. They can guide youth to make safe, informed decisions. Positive role models are  protective factors that promote youth health and well-being, and may help lower the chances of youth substance use, including high-risk su​bstance use.

Below are resources to help adult role models talk with youth about the risks of opioid and other substance use. Resources are organized by the type of role model:

• Parents, Guardians, and Caretakers
  
• Educators and Schools
• Youth-serving Individuals, Organizations, and Providers
  

Parents, Guardians, and Caretakers

Talking with your children and loved ones about drug use can feel uncomfortable, but it is important for supporting their health and safety. Open, honest conversations can help prevent substance use, injury, disease, overdose, and even death.

Starting the Conversation

Starting the Conversation (PDF) - This guide offers tips and sample conversation starters for talking to a loved one who may be misusing substances. Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Operation Prevention: Parent Toolkit (PDF)

This toolkit helps parents learn more about the opioid problem, recognize warning signs, and how to keep open lines of communication with youth.  Source: DEA/Discovery Education​

Should Your Teen Take that Opioid Prescription?

This article explains the risks of opioid prescription use for teens and offers steps to make sure teens use prescription pain medication responsibly.  Source: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) - Get Smart About Drugs

When Opioid Pain Relievers Are Prescribed For Your Child: What You Should Know

This article covers the dangers of misusing opioids, and encourages caregivers to ask their child’s doctor/prescriber important questions. It also explains what to do if an opioid is prescribed – like how to store it safely, give it as directed, and watch for warning signs of opioid misuse or dependence. Source: Partnership to End Addiction

Start A Conversation: 10 Questions Teens Ask About Drugs and Health

This website gives answers to the 10 most frequently asked questions teens have about drugs and health. It’s a helpful tool for adults who want to talk with teens about these matters. Source: NIDA

“Talk. They Hear You.” Parent Resources

This website offers resources, including a Mobile App and podcast, to help parents talk with their kids about alcohol and other drugs. It encourages early and ongoing conversations about substance use. Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Kinship Care Toolkit

This toolkit supports relatives and other caregivers who are raising children affected by parental substance use or overdose.  Source: New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports

Educators and Schools

School Naloxo​ne Policy Example (PDF)

This example shows how schools and districts can create a policy to keep naloxone (a medication that can reverse opioid overdose – also known by the brand name NARCAN® ) available on campus. CDPH encourages schools and districts to have naloxone on campus to quickly respond to an overdose. A standing order is no longer needed to acquire NARCAN® naloxone nasal spray, or other approved over-the-counter naloxone nasal sprays, however it can provide additional liability protections, see: CA Civil Code Section 1714.22.  All other formulations and dosages of naloxone, including intramuscular naloxone, remain available by prescription only and require a standing order to acquire and distribute. 

Free NARCAN® (naloxone HCl) Nasal Spray to Eligible Schools (PDF)​

• ​ As product is available, Emergent offers a specified number of units of naloxone (NARCAN® Nasal Spray) to K-12 schools (2 units), colleges and universities (4 units), public libraries (1 unit) and YMCA's (1 unit) in the United States at no cost. These organizations are eligible for donation every three (3) years, aligning with product expiry. To request a donation, email Direct Relief at usaprograms@directrelief.org.

• The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) offers free naloxone (NARCAN®) kits through the Naloxone Distribution Project (NDP). Review the FAQs (PDF) to learn more.
  

CA Office of School Health Hub

The Office of School Health Hub brings together key resources and information for K–12 schools, including information on substance use prevention. The goal is to support safe learning environments and help students stay healthy. New resources are regularly added to the Hub.

Operation Prevention: School Resources

This website offers resources in English and Spanish to teach students in grades 3 through 12 about the impacts of opioids. Resources include digital lessons, virtual field trips, and educator guides.  Source: DEA/Discovery Education

“Talk. They Hear You.” School & Educator Resources

This website offers resources for school staff - like teachers, counselors, psychologists, and student support professionals - to help prevent substance use among students. It includes resources for talking with parents and caregivers, and videos and conversation starters for students. You’ll also find free webinars as part of the Student Assistance Program. Source: SAMHSA