Adolescents
The first step in talking to adolescents and teens about their opioid use or abuse/misuse is to speak in a non-judgmental way. Conversations with children/teens flow best when it naturally occurs.
Listen if a child/teen talks to you, ask if they’ve thought about what they might need to get better, make sure to keep things confidential, unless it is life threatening, and do not minimize how they are feeling. Offer to help the child/teen start a conversation with their parent(s) if they would like. Also, explain that you can provide advice or guidance, if desired.
For 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or for the Crisis Text Line, text HOME to 741741.
Filters
Selecting filters will auto-adjust the list.
Type at least three characters, and the list will auto-filter.
What Teachers and Coaches Need to Know
Teachers and Coaches need to know about drugs of abuse and need to be able to recognized the signs of opioid use in their students. According to data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health: 2019 What To Look For Behaviors that should raise a concern that …
Resources for Teachers and Coaches
Free CME/CEs: Online Courses on Adolescent Substance Use and Rx Drug Misuse
Access online courses approved for ACCME, ANCC, and ADA credit on:
Adolescents
Teens: Drug Use and the Brain
A comprehensive resource for adolescents on how drug use affects the adolescent brain.
Adolescents
1 in 4 Opioid ODs Involves Kids and Teens
This article describes research finding that more than a quarter of all opioid overdoses in the United States involve children aged 18 or younger.
Adolescents
HHS: Opioids and Adolescents
Comprehensive resource on the facts about opioid use in adolescents.
Adolescents
Parents: Facts on Teen Drug Use
Information for parents on how to talk to your children about drugs and how to find help.
Adolescents
Facts Over Fear: Teaching Opioid Awareness
This curriculum empowers students to make a difference in their community by teaching real life tactics for pain management, as well as the responsibilities, and consequences of opioids.
Resources for Teachers and Coaches
Heroin and Opioid Awareness & Prevention Toolkit
Navigate to page 11 of this toolkit on heroin and opioid prevention and awareness for educator resources.
Resources for Teachers and Coaches
A Coach’s Guide to Recognizing Alcohol/Drug Problems Among Athletes
A guide for coaches with information on specific behaviors to look for that may be signs of drug misuse or abuse, and steps to take if a student athlete come to you for help.
Resources for Teachers and Coaches
NIDA: Teachers: Classroom Resources on Drug Effects
Lessons and activities for teachers to use in the classroom to educate students about drug use.
Resources for Teachers and Coaches
NIDA: Parents and Educators
Find the latest information about the effects and consequences of drug use and abuse, including resources on talking with adolescents about the effects of drug use and abuse.
Resources for Teachers and Coaches
Operation Prevention
This DEA resource English and Spanish-language resources on drug misuse designed for students in grades 3-12, plus additional resources designed for educators, families, and professionals.
Resources for Teachers and Coaches
NIH: Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction – Preventing Drug Misuse and Addiction: The Best Strategy
Information on why adolescence is a critical time for preventing drug misuse and abuse, and information on prevention.
Resources for Teachers and Coaches
NIH: Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction – Drug Misuse and Addiction
An NIH resource on understanding the effect of drugs on the brain and risk factors for addiction.
Resources for Teachers and Coaches
Opioid Prescriptions for Wisdom Tooth Removal –Research Findings
Those who fill an opioid prescription for wisdom tooth removal are nearly three times as likely to keep using. Learn more about a recent study’s findings published in JAMA. Access the full publication on JAMA
Adolescents Research on Post-Surgical Opioid Use
Prescription Opioid Use a Concern for Adolescent Surgery Patients
Access a summary from a recent publication on the use of opioid prescriptions by adolescents following surgical procedures and the likelihood of continued use. Access the full publication on PubMed
Adolescents Research on Post-Surgical Opioid Use
WHO Guidelines on the Pharmacological Treatment of Persisting Pain in Children with Medical Illnesses
As a health professional, find guidance on the pharmacological management of persisting pain in children with medical illnesses based on the recommendations made by the WHO Guidelines Development Group.
Adolescents Guidelines on Treatment for Adolescents with Pain
NIDA –Drugged Driving
Access information on the dangers of drugged driving, drugs linked to drugged driving, populations affected, and steps to prevent drugged driving.
Adolescents Driving and Use of Prescription Drugs
NIDA: Screening and Assessment Tools for Adolescents
Use this NIDA Screening and Assessment Tools Chart to choose the best-evidence-based screening and assessment tools for adolescents.
Adolescents
American Academy of Pediatrics Resources to Address the Opioid Epidemic
This resource from the AAP includes information on policy and physicians education with PediaLink Modules. For more information that complements the NIDA courses listed above, download this 14-page document including research-based clinical strategies to prevent and address adolescent substance use and prescription medication misuse.
Adolescents