Opioids

Bite Me

That sounds alarming, but do you know what’s really alarming? The opioid crisis in Nebraska. The misuse of and addiction to opioids (from prescription pain relievers to heroin) is growing.

It’s time to learn the facts so you can protect your family, friends, and community.

What are opioids?

According to John Hopkins Medicine, opioids are a class of drugs naturally found in the opium poppy plant. They can be prescription medications referred to as “painkillers” or “street drugs” such as heroin.

Many prescription opioids are used to block pain signals between the brain and the body. In addition to pain control, opioids can make some people feel relaxed, happy, or “high,” and…can be addictive.

Doctors often prescribe opioids (OxyContin, Hydrocodone, Methadone, Codeine, and morphine) for post-surgery pain for wisdom teeth removals, tonsillectomies, and pulling a tooth — procedures your kids might need one day.

TIPS to Prevent Opioid Addiction

  • Ask Questions
    Start with asking your doctor questions when they prescribe opioids. Learn questions to ask and why you should ask them here.
  • Safely Store & Dispose
    Most people who misuse painkillers get them from medicine cabinets of family and friends. Learn how to safely store and dispose of opioids here.
  • Test for Fentanyl
    Use testing strips (FTS) to detect any fentanyl or fentanyl-analogs in drugs prior to taking them. Check back for how to access testing strips in Nebraska.
  • Talk About Dangers
    Learn about the impact of prescription drugs on the developing brain and talk to your kids about the dangers of drugs today.

TIPS to Prevent Opioid OVERDOSE

  • Call 9-1-1
    If there’s any chance of an opioid or fentanyl overdose, immediately call 911 to be linked to emergency responders.
  • Use Narcan
    Naloxone (Narcan) is a lifesaving drug that works to reverse an opioid overdose. It’s a spray given through the nose. Get Naloxone for free at certain pharmacies.
  • Test for Fentanyl
    Use testing strips (FTS) to detect any fentanyl or fentanyl-analogs in drugs prior to taking them. Check back for how to access testing strips in Nebraska.

 

Tips, Tools & Resources

If you’re looking for more tips, tools, and resources about opioids, you’ve come to the right place. There are many resources below for you to use to help kids live long, happy, and healthy lives.

This resource-rich site also features ways for you to easily find local supportcontact us and learn more about the Region V Prevention Network.

Learn more about the history and effects of different drugs with these neat, printable fact sheets that can serve as handy resources that are easy to distribute to students.

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Parents of Addicted Loved Ones (PAL) provides support for parents of adult children facing substance use disorders.

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Naloxone is a medication administered to counter the effects of an opioid overdose…

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The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services is focusing on prevention efforts to reduce drug overdoses…

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Did you know that 1.6 million people had an opioid use disorder in the past year?…

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Nebraska is working to decrease opioid addiction through these prevention efforts…

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See the latest statistics on the number of deaths due to opioid misuse in Nebraska…

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Prescription opioids are medications that are chemically similar to endorphins…

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Opioids are a class of drugs naturally found in the opium poppy plant and that work in the brain to produce a variety of effects…

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Fentanyl is a powerful, synthetic opioid medication that is approved for the treatment of severe pain…

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Do you store your prescription opioids and other medications in the medicine cabinet in your bathroom?…

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Research suggests that one of the most influential factors when a teen is growing up is a strong, open relationship with a parent or caregiver…

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OpiRescue is a FREE lifesaving tool for family and friends of people who are taking opioid medication…

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More than 1,600 teens abuse drugs each day…

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Naloxone can save lives when a potential overdose happens. This website gives young people the facts.

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Narcan (naloxone) is an overdose reversal medication that rapidly reverses the effects of opioids. If given immediately…

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This site has comprehensive information on opioids written and presented just for teens.

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This article gives you excellent insight into teen prescription drug abuse, including opioids.

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This video by the Wisconsin Department of Justice powerfully shows what can happen if prescription drugs are abused. 

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Nebraska MEDS is a coalition of state and community partners dedicated to educating …

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Many people are prescribed opioids out of medical necessity, but opioids can still be dangerous and …

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