Skip to Main Content

Purdue Extension provides opioid response support

Providing community-based prevention education to address the opioid crisis that affects communities throughout Indiana is one of Purdue Extension’s top priorities.

“We are dedicated to developing partnerships throughout the state to serve as a proactive, preventive and positive force in tackling this complex issue,” said Angela Abbott, Purdue Extension’s associate director and assistant dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences.

To advance this goal, Purdue Extension recently launched the website extension.purdue.edu/opioids. The site provides information on important Extension programs and resources available to people throughout the state.

“Parents want to protect their children, but it’s challenging,” Abbott said. “Youth need skills to help them resist the peer pressure that leads to risky behaviors.  Research shows that protective parenting improves family relationships and decreases the level of family conflict, contributing to lower levels of substance use.”

To this end, Purdue Extension offers Strengthening Families Program: For Parents and Youth 10-14 in multiple locations throughout the state.

The evidence-based curriculum has been proven to delay the onset of adolescent substance use; lower levels of youth aggression; increase resistance to peer pressure; reduce youth conduct problems in school; and improve parent skills in building positive relationships, setting appropriate limits, and following through on consequences while showing love and support.

“There’s no question that reaching young audiences and families to stop behaviors before they start is a critical strategy that we want to share with our communities,” said Abbott.  

Purdue Extension also has a team of certified facilitators of Mental Health First Aid. Mental Health First Aid teaches participants how to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis, or has signs of substance use disorders, including opioid use. Mental Health First Aid courses educate on signs and symptoms of a variety of mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, substance use, eating disorders, trauma and deliberate self-injury. Participants will learn how to assist those in need during specific situations and how to obtain appropriate help from a health professional.

Skills learned during these courses may also help individuals navigate challenging circumstances taking place in one’s own life, workplace, or among family and friends. The cost of the daylong course, which includes a Mental Health First Aid participant manual and lunch, is $50.
Stephanie Woodcox, assistant program leader for Purdue Extension in the College of Health and Human Sciences, says that while these courses are open to all adults, they can be particularly valuable to those working with or in the agriculture industry: “The agriculture industry can be very stressful, especially during volatile economic times. High rates of stress often leave people looking for ways to cope, which puts a strain on their mental health and overall well-being, as well as that of their families.”

Purdue Extension’s opioid website offers access to other resources, such as a webinar series, videos and printed materials. Purdue Extension also has offices in every Indiana county that serve as important sources for information. Phone numbers, email addresses and contacts can be found at extension.purdue.edu. 

Featured Stories

Bryan Pijanoski with sound equipment
The sound of the world

It’s summer, but Bryan Pijanowski is as busy as ever. He’s working on several grant...

Read More
ag econ
Trey Malone named as Boehlje Chair in Managerial Economics for Agribusiness

“A business newspaper published an interview with me a few years ago titled, ‘Ag...

Read More
Purdue College of Agriculture.
Virtual Tour Brings Forest Management for the Birds to Life

How does forest management affect wildlife, specifically birds? Which birds prefer which types of...

Read More
Students on the Sweden study abroad trip stand in front of a church
FNR Field Reports: Lucas Cacula Offers Week 2 Update from Sweden Study Abroad Program

Throughout the 2024 Sustainable Natural Resources study abroad course in Sweden, FNR...

Read More
Wilford tends to Gracie the cow.
Fields of Discovery: From track to trough— leaping into research

This summer, Rieko Wilford is making big leaps researching methane emissions; on the track,...

Read More
Linda Prokopy
Horticulture and Landscape Architecture department head honored by Conservation Technology Information Center

Linda Prokopy, department head and professor of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture at Purdue...

Read More
To Top