Catch up with ODP's November Newsletter!

Upcoming Events

November 18, 2020 - Marijuana Workgroup Meeting
December 3, 2020 - Opioid Misuse & Overdose Workgroup Bi-Annual Meeting
December 1-31, 2020 - National Impaired Driving Prevention Month

News Stories & Reports

The Governor's Opioid & Substance Use Disorder Advisory Group is pleased to present their final report, Combatting the Opioid & Substance Use Disorder Crisis in Idaho.

The Advisory Group worked collaboratively over the last 15 months to develop the report and their 19 final recommendations. They presented them to Governor Brad Little at the Opioid & Substance Misuse Prevention Symposium on October 15, 2020.

"We hope these recommendations can inform, support, and guide the Governor's commitment to combatting substance misuse and improving the well-being and safety of Idahoans" said ODP Administrator Melinda Smyser.

Read the full report here.

IDAHO FAMILY DINNER NIGHT

During the Idaho Family Dinner Night 2020 campaign, ODP and our prevention partners distributed over 15,000 Idaho Family Dinner Recipe Guides to families across the state. Handing out the Recipe Guides was a bit more challenging this year due to COVID-19, but we were able to utilize a number of distribution channels - including the Idaho Foodbank Backpack Program, the Farmers to Families Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, and Head Start & Early Head Start programs throughout Idaho.

ODP is grateful for the Idaho Foodbank and all of the local organizations and community coalitions that helped share the Recipe Guides with Idaho families and encouraged them to connect around the dinner table. Read more.

Thanksgiving Virtual Care Package

Our wonderful partners, The Family Dinner Project, understand that many families may be celebrating the holidays a bit different this year due to COVID-19. So they created this Thanksgiving Virtual Care Package filled with conversation starters, activities, and materials to help families create memorable shared experiences regardless of whether they are together or apart. Feel free to share these great resources with your friends, family, or prevention partners!

NATIONAL PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAKE BACK DAY

The 19th annual National Prescription Drug Take Back Day that took place on October 24, 2020 was a huge success! A total of 10,526 pounds of unused and expired medication was collected across Idaho - a new state record and a nearly 4,000-pound increase from the previous Take Back Day in April 2019.

ODP is very proud of our Law Enforcement and prevention partners for organizing collection sites across Idaho; as well as all of the Idahoans that cleaned out their medicine cabinets and dropped off their old prescriptions at Take Back Day events. Together, we can help keep our communities safe from prescription drug misuse. Read more.

DECEMBER IS NATIONAL IMPAIRED DRIVING PREVENTION MONTH

The holidays are known for being merry and bright, but they’re also known for being the deadliest season when it comes to impaired driving.

A total of 839 people died in alcohol-related crashes in December 2018, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Drunk driving deaths typically represent around a third of all traffic fatalities, but that increased to nearly 50% on December 24th & 31st of 2018.

NHTSA created the Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving campaign, which includes pre-Holiday season specific campaign materials for states and organizations to use in their local communities. Find their 2020 Pre-Holiday Season Social Media Playbook and social norming marketing tools here.

ODP ART CONTEST

What do the students in your classroom or community do in their free time? Do they have a hobby or try new things on a regular basis? Having a passion or a regular activity can help children and teens develop a positive self-image, boost their confidence, and surround themselves with healthy, like-minded peers.

Importantly - kids with a strong focus are less likely to participate in negative activities like underage drinking that get in the way of their success.

The Office of Drug Policy's 2021 Draw Your Passion Art Contest is an opportunity for Idaho students to share what healthy hobbies they plan to do in the new year and for us to collectively recognize the importance of interests & activities in helping Idaho youth thrive. Learn more.

What's new with you?

Have an update, story, or other news you'd like to share in a future newsletter?

Send an email to Jessie Dexter at Jessie.Dexter@odp.idaho.gov

We envision a safe and healthy Idaho free from the devastating impact of substance use on youth, families, and communities.