Responding to the Opioid Crisis

Addressing the Opioid Crisis in Communities

Providing community-based prevention education to address the opioid crisis that affects communities throughout Indiana is one of Purdue Extension’s top priorities.

“We are dedicated to developing partnerships throughout the state to serve as a proactive, preventive and positive force in tackling this complex issue,” said Angela Abbott, Purdue Extension’s associate director and assistant dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences.

To advance this goal, Purdue Extension recently launched the website extension.purdue.edu/opioids. The site provides information on important Extension programs and resources available to people throughout the state.

Supporting Mental Health

Know the O Facts is an online opioid addiction resource provided by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, Division of Mental Health and Addiction. 

Purdue Extension has a team of certified facilitators of Mental Health First Aid who are ready to bring this important, and often life-saving, course to your community, organization, or business.

Contact your Indiana county’s Extension Educator to learn about Mental Health First Aid courses in your area.

Contact your Extension Educator

Strengthening Families Program

Purdue Extension offers the Strengthening Families Program: For Parents and Youth 10-14 in multiple locations throughout the state. The program consists of 7, 2-hour sessions held over a 7 week period. This evidence-based parent, youth, and family skills-building curriculum is proven to:

Every $1 spent saves a community $9.60 due to less treatment, less time off work, less jail time.
  • Delay the onset of adolescent substance use
  • Lower levels of aggression in youth
  • Increase the resistance to peer pressure in youth
  • Reduce youth conduct problems in school
  • Improve parent skills including building a positive relationship with their youth, setting appropriate limits, and following through on consequences while showing love and support for their children

Of 6,000 programs analyzed for long-term effects on substance use/misuse, Strengthening Families ranks #1 with the World Health Organization.

Learn More

Preventing Abuse

Use as Directed: Preventing Prescription Drug Overdoses

This publication will help you learn more about the risks of prescription medications if they are not used as prescribed by a healthcare professional, including possible prescription drug overdose. This applies to medications we use ourselves and those we give to our loved ones.

Combating Opioids

Purdue Extension, in partnership with the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development, hosts a quarterly webinar series title Combating Opioids. This webinar series is free and open to all to participate, including community members, community-based organizations, coalitions, healthcare professionals, Extension professionals, and businesses.

Participate in Webinar Series