Research has found that frequent family dinners can lower rates of depression, substance use, and delinquent acts among teens. Eating together may protect children and youth from depression and risky behaviors by providing a regular and comforting context to check in with parents about their day-to-day activities and connect with them emotionally. That’s why ODP encourages prevention partners to join the Idaho Family Dinner Initiative and celebrate family meals in their communities each Fall, from September through November.

Want to get involved? Prevention partners that order free Family Meal Guides to distribute in their communities are eligible to receive a stipend to organize a Family Dinner event or activity. To order Meal Guides and/or request a stipend, please complete the ETI Family Dinner Initiative Activity Form.

Participate in the Annual Sticker Shock Campaign

ODP, in partnership with the Idaho State Liquor Division (ISLD), is gearing up to implement the annual Sticker Shock Campaign for the 2023 season. Designed to educate adults who may purchase alcohol legally and illegally provide to minors under 21, stickers will placed on bags supplied by ISLD and distributed by state-operated and contracted liquor stores throughout Idaho.

Want to get involved? Community organizations interested in participating can learn more and register here.

The 25th National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is on Saturday, October 28th, 2023. Created by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in 2010, National Prescription Drug Take Back Days happen twice a year in April and October to address the public safety issue created by unused or expired prescription medications, which are highly susceptible to misuse and theft. Take Back Day events provide an opportunity for Americans to safely and securely dispose of unused, expired, and unwanted prescription medications and help prevent substance misuse and overdose deaths.

ODP encourages local organizations across the state to organize and/or promote Take Back Day events in their communities to help Idahoans properly dispose of unused or expired medications.

Visit ODP's National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Webpage to download the updated Take Back Day Collection Site Event Planning & Promotional Toolkit.

2022 Update and Final Report:

Idaho Opioid Misuse and Overdose Strategic Plan 2023 - 2028

In May 2023, the Office of Drug Policy convened a group of stakeholders from various areas of expertise who were dedicated and committed to reducing the burden of the opioid crisis in Idaho. The workgroup gathered for a two-day retreat, followed by additional meetings and phone calls, to create a statewide, collaborative opioid misuse and overdose prevention blueprint; leading to the development of the 2023-2028 Idaho Opioid Misuse and Overdose Prevention Strategic Plan. The five-year Strategic Plan identified three key goal areas that address the epidemic with a comprehensive, multi-sector approach to support the workgroup’s 2023 vision of “an Idaho that cares for those impacted by opioids.”

View the final report here.

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

Brain Awareness Week Grants

Applications Open September 1 - October 1, 2023

Brain Awareness Week (BAW) is a global campaign to foster public enthusiasm and support for brain science. Every March, partners host imaginative activities in their communities that share the wonders of the brain and the impact brain science has on our everyday lives. Each year ODP organizes an annual BAW event that provides education on youth brain development and the impact of substance use on the developing brain.

The International Brain Research Organization and the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives are providing $1,250 grants for organizations to organize BAW projects in their communities. The proposed projects organized for BAW may take place in countries anywhere outside of Europe. It is not a requirement that they take place during the official Brain Awareness Week. However, they must support, promote and run under the title of the global Brain Awareness Week campaign.

Click here if you're interested in learning more about BAW and the 2024 grant opportunity.

Idaho LAUNCH Grants

Applications Open October 3 - November 30, 2023

Idaho LAUNCH is a grant program that provides students a one-time opportunity to have 80% of the tuition and fees at an eligible institution covered, up to a maximum amount of $8,000. With approximately 75 million dollars available for Idaho LAUNCH funding, it is possible for this program to offer between 9,000 and 10,000 awards per year! Learn more here.