Extension
It Starts With Us
Author: Brenda Cockerham
Major Program: Substance Use Prevention and Recovery General
Family and Consumer Sciences has taken several steps to address the Substance Use and Prevention issues facing Johnson County. The need to pursue these educational efforts has been requested by both the local Extension Councils as well as an initiative the County Judge Executive and the Mayor coordinated through CEDIK. In response to these local emerging requests, the FCS agent has been trained in the Recovering Your Finances 8 part series and offered them to 30 drug court participants. Over 50%
Author: Deborah Messenger
Major Program: Substance Use Prevention and Recovery General
According to the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy 2020 Overdose Fatality Report, more than 1,964 Kentuckians died from drug overdoses in 2020. That’s a 49% increase from the 1,316 overdose deaths for 2019. The Cumberland County Family and Consumer Sciences Agent and the Cumberland County KY-ASAP Council collaborated on community events to bring awareness to the rising substance abuse epidemic. The first event was a parent training called Courageous Communities in which parents were t
Author: Chandra DeRamus
Major Program: Substance Use Prevention and Recovery General
Chandra DeRamusFamily & Consumer Sciences Extension AgentHardin County Success Story: September 2021 “Kentucky State University Promotes Community Health Program Collaborations in the Midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic” As the world is in the midst of a global pandemic, with the corona virus communities are dealing with the new normal of being impacted by new mask guidelines and policies. While these guidelines are helpful and much needed, some families sti
Author: Kelly Burgess
Major Program: Substance Use Prevention and Recovery General
The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services reports that 10% of adolescents self-report illicit drug use in the past month. Substance use prevention programming is critical to the prevention, delayed onset, and/or early identification of substance use. The Life Skills Training (LST) program, developed by Botvin and colleagues, is one of the most successful substance use prevention programs available for use. It teaches a variety of personal self-management skills and social s
Author: Anna Morgan
Major Program: Substance Use Prevention and Recovery General
The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services reports that 10% of adolescents self-report illicit drug use in the past month. Substance use prevention programming is critical to the prevention, delayed onset, and/or early identification of substance use. The Life Skills Training (LST) program, developed by Botvin and colleagues, is one of the most successful substance use prevention programs available for use. It teaches a variety of personal self-management skills and social s
Author: Laken Campbell
Major Program: Substance Use Prevention and Recovery General
Lee County Botvin LST Success StoryThe Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services reports that 10% of adolescents self-report illicit drug use in the past month. Substance use prevention programming is critical to the prevention, delayed onset, and/or early identification of substance use. The Life Skills Training (LST) program, developed by Botvin and colleagues, is one of the most successful substance use prevention programs available for use. It teaches a variety of personal
Author: Amy Stooksbury
Major Program: Substance Use Prevention and Recovery General
The Todd County Nutrition Education Program (NEP) Assistant offered Healthy Choices for Everybody classes at Genesis, a residential treatment program in Hopkinsville, sponsored by Pennyroyal Center. Genesis East (Men’s Facility) and Genesis West (Women’s Facility) address both substance use and mental health issues to help clients on their road to recovery. The Genesis Director thought Healthy Choices for Everybody would be a good addition to their program. To ensur
Author: Katherine Jury
Major Program: Substance Use Prevention and Recovery General
Kentucky ranks 46th in the nation in regards to teen smoking and tobacco use, 30th in the nation in regards to teen alcohol use, and has the highest lung cancer incidence rate in the nation. Preventing illicit substance use among adolescents in Kentucky is a public health priority. However, evidence-based programs and policies have not been widely implemented across Kentucky. Identifying, securing, and promoting educational resources to respond to substance use is a priority of the U
Author: Katherine Jury
Major Program: Substance Use Prevention and Recovery General
Kentucky ranks 46th in the nation in regards to teen smoking and tobacco use, 30th in the nation in regards to teen alcohol use, and has the highest lung cancer incidence rate in the nation. Preventing illicit substance use among adolescents in Kentucky is a public health priority. However, evidence-based programs and policies have not been widely implemented across Kentucky. Identifying, securing, and promoting educational resources to respond to substance use is a priority of the U
Author: Alexander Elswick
Major Program: Substance Use Prevention and Recovery General
In 2021, overdose deaths surged to more than 100,000 drug poisonings in a single calendar year, marking the most devastating year on record. In Kentucky, the overdose mortality rate rose 14.5% in 2021. However, overdose is just one metric, a single statistic among the estimated 10,000 collateral consequences of addiction and subsequent incarceration for Kentuckians. Kentucky is among the states with the highest rate of incarcerated parents with addictions and children living in
Author: Shonda Johnston
Major Program: Substance Use Prevention and Recovery General
There is a strong need for continued substance abuse prevention and intervention in Clark County. Substance use/abuse issues continue to negatively impact a large number of families in the community. According to the recent Kentucky Extension Community Assessment, “issues related to drugs and substance abuse were raised as pressing issues for Clark County” The assessment also indicated that “Drug abuse impacts the individuals and families directly affected and carries economic
Author: Shonda Johnston
Major Program: Substance Use Prevention and Recovery General
Alcohol and tobacco use continue to be a concern among youth in Clark County. Nearly 10% of Kentucky youth ages 12-15 try alcohol for the first time, according to national data. Research shows that alcohol use in teenagers can lead to developmental concerns, increased risk for depression, anxiety and low self esteem. To address this, the Family & Consumer Sciences agent partnered with the Youth Services Coordinator at Robert D Campbell Junior High School and the Clark County Health Departmen
Author: Brittany Thomas
Major Program: Substance Use Prevention and Recovery General
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), early use of drugs increases a person’s chances of more serious drug abuse and addiction. Drugs change brains, and this can lead to addiction and other serious problems. Because of this, preventing early use of drugs or alcohol may reduce the risk of progressing to later abuse and addiction. The number of diverted prescriptions and illegal drugs, overdoses, thefts, arrests, court cases, and medical/financial consequences of dr
Author: Sara Jenkins
Major Program: Substance Use Prevention and Recovery General
In response to substance abuse being a top priority as identified by Kentucky constituents in a recent Extension priority survey; and because of need identified by NEP Assistants working in community substance use recovery programs, the Healthy Choices for Your Recovering Body curriculum was recently developed by the Nutrition Education Program and Family and Consumer Sciences Extension. Listening sessions with NEP Assistants experienced in working with audiences in substance use recovery was he
