Thrive24

Target Audience: Teachers 6-8 Teachers 9-12, Mental Health Professionals, Special Educators

Substance use has changed in the last decade- the drug supply is more toxic, adolescents can access drugs through social media, and there are new ways of consuming drugs (like emerging smokeless tobacco products). Although a primary message of no substance use should always be first, for the adolescents who may decide to try substances, it is important to also provide them with information to reduce the potential harms. Educators in this session will learn about the ways that substance use has changed among adolescents in the last decade. We will review specific strategies that adolescents can use to minimize the harms related to substance use, including a focus on overdose prevention education and how to recognize/respond to an overdose with naloxone.