Nursing Students Combat Opioid Crisis in Highland
Drug overdoses killed over 63,600 Americans in 2016, with nearly 66 percent of the deaths involving a prescription opioid. Over the last year, emergency rooms inIllinois saw a 66 percent increase in opioid overdoses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In Highland, Ill., a town of 10,000, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Chief Brian Wilson is one of many town officials and representatives working in the fight against the opioid epidemic. Highland EMS administered NARCAN, the life-saving treatment for suspected opioid overdoses, 32 times in 2017.
In order to prevent further abuse and educate the city’s teens about the dangers of opioids, Highland partnered with the University for a yearlong SIUE Successful Communities Collaborative (SSCC). Through an SSCC, community partners identify sustainability and livability projects that would benefit from SIUE expertise. Faculty then incorporate these projects into their courses, and engage graduate and upper-level undergraduate students in the SSCC.
In fall 2017, an initial student cohort conducted a needs assessment that the second cohort built upon in spring 2018.
“In our research, we found that children as young as 13 have started using drugs,” said senior Shannon McGinnis of Liles, Ill. “It is vital to be aware of the problem so we can fix it. If we get information into schools and educate the students, we prevent the problem before it starts.”
The SSCC opioid education and prevention project in Highland targets teens ages 14-18. Ten School of Nursing students presented “The Opioid Epidemic: Community Engagement and Awareness” to Highland city representatives in February 2018.
As part of the presentation, the students identified references, resources and tools using best practices for drug use prevention and supporting families with addicted members.
Wilson knows first-hand the ripple effect that opioid addiction has on a family. His daughter is now drug-free after a long battle with drug and opioid abuse.
“When we see a crisis, and this is a crisis, we want to try to help the users and the families,” Wilson said. “We want to get the addict the resources to get well, but we also want to help the family find resources to cope.”
"The opioid crisis is real," said Lisa Peck, Highland assistant city manager. "There isn’t a single community immune to it, and we have an obligation to do something about it."
