Youth Program
This is Not About Drugs
The first youth-focused educational program addressing the opioid public health crisis.
Youth Education Program to Prevent Opioid Misuse and Educate on the Risks of Fentanyl
This is Not About Drugs (TINAD) is a youth education program that addresses youth substance use with an emphasis on opioids (prescription pain medication, fentanyl and heroin).
Used by school and community partners in 36+ U.S. states to prevent opioid misuse, educate on the risks of fentanyl, how to recognize opioid overdose symptoms, the basics of the opioid reversal drug naloxone (NARCAN), the importance of calling 911, and more.
Developed in 2015 – Annual Updates
Over the years, the program has remained current to the health crisis trends and conditions. For example, TINAD expanded to include how to recognize opioid overdose symptoms, the basics of the opioid reversal drug naloxone (NARCAN), the importance of calling 911, the rise in synthetic opioids (fentanyl), and the practice of fentanyl-laced street drugs and counterfeit pills.
More About This Is Not About Drugs
- For students grades 6–12
- Takes place in a classroom, small group setting
- Aligns with most common health curriculums
- Fits school time constraints
- Incorporates NIDA principals and risk/protective factors.
- Complements and strengthens evidence-based programs such as Botvin Lifeskills and Too Good for Drugs
- Companion parent and/or educator programming available
MORE THAN
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Program Lesson Outcomes/Objectives
At the completion of This is Not About Drugs, youth will learn and understand
- The risks of prescription pain drug misuse
- How misuse can lead to addiction, fentanyl/heroin use, overdose, and death
- How to recognize opioid overdose symptoms
- Basics of the opioid reversal drug Naloxone
- The importance of calling 911 to get help for a person in need
- Understand the disease of addiction and how it impacts the individual and their loved ones.
- Alternatives to using substances in dealing with life’s stresses
- Ways to ask for help and find available resources
Efficacy Study
In collaboration with the Public Policy Institute at Indiana University, the study examined the efficacy and results of the program. Results indicate that the youth program significantly increases understanding of the risks associated with prescription pain pills, the similarity between heroin and prescription pain pills, and awareness of the purpose of the overdose reversal drug naloxone. Read the study
Pain Pills and Heroin are the Same Drug
- 55% increase in student knowledge on opioid prevention
Overdose Can Happen with the 1st, 2nd, 3rd Use
- 23% increase in student knowledge on substance abuse prevention
Pain Pill Misuse is as risky as Heroin
- 37% increase in student knowledge on addiction
More Likely to Get Help and Talk with Someone
- 71% of students strongly agree/agree
Source: 2019 Student Worksheet Data
Student Takeaways
PRE-ASSESSMENT
Part 1 of the worksheet activity captures the student’s established perceptions and opinions on substance use and prevention. The worksheet statements model the lesson outcomes/objectives, using terminology from the film to help with knowledge acquisition and retention.
FILM & DISCUSSION
The lesson outcomes/objectives are the blueprints of the film which finds 12 young people sharing their personal experiences in real, everyday terms. The discussion portion of the lesson allows for students to express their opinions of the film and for group discussion of the learning material.
POST-ASSESSMENT
Part 2 of the worksheet activity asks the student to reassess the same six statements after they have watched and talked about the film and complete some additional questions measuring the remaining learning objectives.
AFTER THE LESSON SUPPORT
A student handout and website containing the video, more information, and resources support the student after the lesson.
MEASUREMENT & RESULTS
The completed student worksheets and the Educator “After the Lesson” survey data help Overdose Lifeline and partner organizations track and measure the effectiveness of the lesson and educational materials and provide critical data for future decision-making.
Trainer/Facilitator Course
Get certified to deliver this opioid prevention program in your community. All training is conducted online.
Prerequisites
- The Brain and the Disease of Addiction
- The Opioid Public Health Crisis
Fees: $300/person
- Prerequisite course 1: $30 pp
- Prerequisite course 2: $45 pp
- Course Training: $150 pp
- Course Kit: $75 pp
Annual Program License: $150 Individual or $250-2000/year Group
- Group License: Access for two or more trainers within an organization. License fee varies based on county population.
©2015 Overdose Lifeline, Inc. “This is (Not) About Drugs” Prescription Pain Medicine (Opioids) and Heroin Prevention Education program and its materials may not be reproduced or distributed without the specific, written authorization from Overdose Lifeline and completion of the required program training. All rights reserved.