Substance Use Prevention and Recovery
Substance Use and Prevention: Awareness, Education and Positive Coping Skills
Rebecca Miller, Michelle Brock, Brian Good
Health & Wellbeing
Substance Use Recovery - FCS
Arts and Community Health
The recent community needs assessment done in Bell County identified substance use prevention and recovery as the top priority for Cooperative Extension. It was also, the main issue that needed to be addressed by our County Extension Council. The need to provide awareness, education and positive coping mechanisms to those in our community is desperately needed. The impact that this issue has on individuals and families in our community is pressing and substantial. According to Kentucky by the numbers 45.4% of children victims who were neglected, physically or sexually abused had alcohol or substance abuse issues as a high risk factor.
- The prevention and/or reduction of substance use and its related consequences.
- Changed public perception of substance use via stigma reduction.
- Individuals will use positive alternatives and coping skills to help with substance use.
- Reduced stigma from local community members
- Delayed age of first use among Kentucky youth
- Implement positive behaviors to help cope ( cooking, hobbies, ect.)
- Increased knowledge of substance use prevention, addiction, and recovery (or related subject matter)
- Increased ability to use destigmatized language
- Improved social skills and/or self-efficacy in KY youth and adults.
Outcome: Increased knowledge of substance use
Indicator: Number of individuals attending programs
Method: Retroactive pre-post
Timeline: Following every addiction 101 training
Outcome: Increased ability to use destigmatized language
Indicator: Number of individuals intend to change behavior
Method: Retroactive pre-post
Timeline: Following any program that includes language training
Outcome: Improved social skills and/or self-efficacy in KY Youth
Indicator: Number of student undergoing Health Rocks
Method: Retroactive pre-post
Timeline: Following Health Rocks
Outcome: Improved social skills and/or self-efficacy in adults
Indicator: Number of individuals attending classes on stress management, depression, etc
Method: verbal surveys, written surveys, self report
Timeline: Following educational workshops on coping skills topics and other outlets that are positive
Audience: primary and middle school youth
Project or Activity: Health Rocks
Content or Curriculum:4-H Health Rocks
Inputs: agents, paid staff, specialist, programmatic materials, schools, family resource centers
Date: Fall 2024
Audience: families, individuals recovering, recovery centers
Project or Activity: Coping 101
Content or Curriculum: Blue to You, Keys to embracing aging, UK publications on stress management and breathing
Inputs: specialist, agents, community partners, facilities
Date: July 2024-June 2025
Audience: recovery centers
Project or Activity: Recovering Your Finances
Content or Curriculum: Recovering Your Finances
Inputs: specialist, recovery centers, agents
Date: Spring 2025