Author: Alexander Elswick
Major Program: Substance Use Prevention and Recovery General
The twin epidemic/pandemics of opioid overdose and COVID-19 collided in 2020. As a result, national overdose fatalities surged to more than 108,000 lives lost in 2021 (CDC, 2022). In that same year in Kentucky, there were 2,250 overdose fatalities, a 14.5% percent increase from the previous year (KY Office of Drug Control Policy, 2022). Notably, more than 70% of fatal overdoses in Kentucky involved the synthetic opioid fentanyl. In response in October 2022, FDA Commission
Substance use and substance use disorder (SUD) are pervasive public health problems in Kentucky. Nationally, the Commonwealth ranks third in overdose mortality rate, second in parental incarceration rate, and first in incidence of Hepatitis C due to injection drug use (CDC, 2021). Furthermore, children in Kentucky are more likely to be neglected or abused than children in any other state (Child Maltreatment Report, 2019). Consequently, youth in Kentucky report concerning levels
Author: Brittany Thomas
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 drug abu
Author: Ruth Chowning
Obesity and being overweight is a major issue the people in Bullitt County struggle with daily. Lack of exercise and sedentary lifestyles are the leading cause for this growing problem. Bingocize® was created by Dr. Jason Crandall, Co-Director/Co-Founder at the WKU Center for Applied Science in Health & Aging. He created the socially engaging group-based game that combines health education and exercise in the format of BINGO. Dr. Crandall and his research team have tested the program and
Author: Kelsee Dewees
According to the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, a person should consume fruits and vegetables daily as part of a healthy eating pattern to reduce their risk for chronic diseases such as, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers and obesity. Also, less than 10% of older adults meet the dietary guidelines for fruit and vegetable intake. Many of those in Knox County were not aware of how to garden to produce fresh fruits and vegetables. &nbs
Author: Brooke Hogancamp
Substance Misuse Disorder and Prevention are an ongoing concern in Carlisle County. Research shows that substance misuse can cause permanent changes in a developing brain, potentially leading to mental health struggles and addiction disorders later in life. Carlisle County FCS Extension, and the Carlisle County School System collaborated to present "Truth & Consequences: The Choice is Yours" (T&C) to 8th grade students and their guardians as a tool to demonstrate the pote
Author: Natalie Green
The Webster County Cooperative Extension Service implemented Truth & Consequences: The Choice is Yours, a scenario based role-play activity designed to help students learn more about the physical, legal, financial, and emotionalconsequences of substance abuse and cyber-crimes. This program is provided to 8th grade students at the Webster County Middle School. Community partners, Family, District, and Circuit Court Judges and court offici
Author: M. Elizabeth Coots
There is a strong need for continued substance abuse prevention and intervention in Woodford County. The number of diverted prescriptions and illegal drugs, overdoses, thefts, arrests, court cases, and medical/financial consequences of drug abuse continues to negatively impact a large number of families in the community. To continue addressing the variety of substance abuse issues impacting our community, the Woodford County Cooperative Extension Service partnered with Woodford County&
Author: Chelsea Young
There is a strong need for continued substance abuse prevention and intervention in Owen County. The number of diverted prescriptions and illegal drugs, overdoses, thefts, arrests, and medical/financial consequences of drug abuse continues to negatively impact a large number of families in the community. To address these issues surrounding substance abuse impacting our community, the Owen County Extension Office in partnership with many other local agencies collaborated to organize
Author: Amy Stooksbury
The Healthy Choices for Everybody is a curriculum developed by University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service Nutrition Education Program to teach limited resource adults about healthy eating and physical activity. Nutrition education is positively associated with substance abuse treatment program outcomes. (1Nutrition and Food Service, James H Quillen VA Medical Center, Mountain Home, TN, USA. louise.grant2@med.va.gov)The Todd County NEP Assistant taught Healthy Choices for Ever
