Substance abuse including the abuse of prescription drugs is a major concern nationwide. This problem impacts the families, the economy, the criminal justice system, and medical/emergency response systems.  The number of families who have lost loved ones has increased annually over the past ten years.  According to the 2017 Overdose Fatality Report  prepared by the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy, twenty-five people died from an overdose. In an effort to educate our community and support families Franklin County Extension offered the following seminars: The Opioid Crisis, Focus on the Family and Overdose Response Training.  Three different presenters discussed topics ranging from the basic understanding of what opioids are and where they come from, how the brain is affected and how a person may become addicted and why it is difficult for one to stop.  

The presenters discussed how the "crisis" developed and the reasons why Kentucky is one state that has been affected. The importance on how the epidemic affects families and how family members can provide support without enabling was very enlightening.   A partnership with Voices of Hope provided attendees with hands-on training on how to respond to an overdosed person and provided with a Narcan medication valued at $85.00.  Each program's attendance varied in number from 12 to 4, however, each attendee indicated an increase in knowledge and understanding. While these were initial steps at addressing this critical public health issue more programming is needed throughout the community on awareness, prevention and response.