Be Part of the Solution

Actions you can take to help your loved one, your family or your community.

This edition includes:

1. New resource on investing the opioid settlement funds in effective prevention
2. New podcast episode with neuroscientist Dr. Kristen Gilliland, Director of Outreach and Advocacy for the Warren Center at Vanderbilt University 

1. Take action: Using opioid settlement funds for prevention

Communities across the country are deciding how to use funds they are receiving as a result of settlements with companies involved in making and distributing opioids. The funds, which total more than $50 billion, represent a critical opportunity not only to address the current opioid epidemic but also to prevent future addiction crises. Here is how you can help...

For community leaders, professionals, and decision-makers: 

Partnership to End Addiction has a new resource, Guidance for Investing the Opioid Settlement Funds in Primary Prevention, to help communities and leaders make informed, evidence-based spending decisions that strengthen prevention efforts.  

The guide summarizes the research on effective prevention strategies, highlights approved uses in the Settlement Agreement aligned with primary prevention, and showcases real-world examples from states and communities already investing the funds in primary prevention-aligned strategies.  

If you're in a position to guide how opioid settlement funds are used — whether as a public health official, elected leader, or service provider — this guide can help you make informed decisions.

For concerned community members ready to take action:

You don't need to be a decision-maker to make a difference. Community members have a powerful role to play in pushing for opioid settlement dollars to be used for effective prevention. 

Community input on how leaders are deciding to invest the opioid settlement funds is critical. You can advocate to help ensure funds go towards the most pressing needs in your community, including related to prevention.  

Check out our new resource, Advocating for Using Opioid Settlement Funds for Prevention, to help you determine who is deciding how to spend the opioid settlement funds in your community and how to encourage them to direct the funds toward effective substance use prevention. 

2. New podcast episode: Dr. Kristen Gilliland — A mother's journey from neuroscience to advocacy 

After losing one son to overdose and watching another struggle with lifelong schizophrenia, neuroscientist Dr. Kristen Gilliland reveals what she wishes she'd known about today's ultra-potent marijuana and the developing brain. She breaks down the science of how THC hijacks the adolescent brain's critical development period and why the push for marijuana legalization may be putting more teens at risk.    

Heart of the Matter with Elizabeth Vargas is available via Apple Podcasts, Spotify and drugfree.org.

Content warning: This episode contains mentions of death, as well as in-depth discussions of substance use. If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental health or substance use disorder, please contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at (800) 662-4357. These programs provide free, confidential support 24/7. You are not alone.  

Explore more on topics and themes discussed in this episode:   

• Marijuana Resource Center 
• Co-Occurring Disorders Resource Center
• Article: Having Tough Conversations

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