Partner with Above the Influence for Resources and Materials

Above the Influence is a part of the non-profit Partnership for Drug-Free Kids and their goal is to make teens aware of the influences around them along with the impact those influences have over their decisions and consequently their lives. They operate under the belief that the more aware you are of the influences around you, the better prepared you will be to face them.
The website reads,“We’re not telling you how to live your life, but we are giving you another perspective and the latest facts. You need to make your own smart decisions.”
They work with partners at three levels: community, strategic and corporate sponsors. Community partners equip schools and youth-serving organizations across the country with materials and resources to help teens stay Above the Influence. Strategic partners offer unique opportunities to engage youth. Corporate Sponsors provide funding to help Above the Influence to continue offering their program in teen drug abuse prevention.
How can I do that?Contact Above the Influence through their website to see which partnership is right for your organization and to get started making a difference in the lives of teens and youth.

Receive Overdose Prevention Training

In 2015 Tennessee had the 10th highest overdose mortality rate in the nation. Naloxone can reverse a potentially fatal overdose by allowing the person to breathe normally after the opioid medication has slowed their breathing to a dangerous rate. Having access to Naloxone, and having the proper training to use it, could save a life.

How can I do that?
Visit the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services website to learn more about Naloxone and opioid education.
View the Regional Overdose Prevention Specialist (ROPS) Map to find contact information for your region.
Contact the specialist in your region to schedule an opioid education and naloxone training.
For general information, self-assessment, Good Samaritian law information, and additional resources visit the TN Depatment of Health website listed below.

Participate in Count it! Lock it! Drop it! Program

Count It! Lock It! Drop It!™ (CLD) is a community initiative supported by BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Health Foundation. CLD empowers and educates communities about prevention practices by properly counting, locking or disposing of prescription medications.
According to the Count it! Lock it! Drop it! website, 64 percent of Tennesseans know someone who has become addicted to prescription pain medication. Many people believe that this epidemic does not affect them or that it happens to “other people,” assuming an event will never happen to them or anyone they know; however, data shows the main source of prescription pain pills are friends and relatives.
Protect your loved ones by purchasing lock boxes to securely store medications. If not used properly, prescription drugs can be as harmful and dangerous as illicit drugs. If prescriptions not properly stored (and locked), anyone can access them. Children can mistake pills for candy or teens wanting to ‘experiment’ could easily obtain them for use. This also creates the opportunity for your household to be targeted by anyone who has knowledge that the prescription is in your house.
How can I do that?Go to the Count it! Lock it! Drop it! website and…1. Lock up your prescriptions and store them where others would not think to look2. Count your pills every two weeks. Download this form to help you keep track of your medications.3. Check with your local coalition to see if a lock box is available to you for no charge. You can also purchase lock boxes at local grocery stores and pharmacies.4. Drop off any unused or expired medications in designated drop boxes located in participating law enforcement offices or pharmacies. Find a drop box near you.

Help Pregnant Women Struggling with Addiction

Pregnant women with substance use disorder run the risk of their babies being born drug-dependent.
Babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) experience withdrawal symptoms after birth and usually require hospitalization, intensive care and medication(s) for several weeks to keep them comfortable and safe during the withdrawal process.

Let your loved one know that you are supportive by encouraging her to seek treatment. Offer to provide assistance in finding resources.
Check out the resources below to see what action steps to take next depending upon where your family member is in the process.

Monitor Pending Legislation in the Tennessee General Assembly

As a concerned citizen, you want to educate yourself on what legislative solutions are being proposed on the topic of opioids or other controlled substances and how they will affect your local communities. You want to know what your State Senator and State Representative are doing to address these problems.
The Tennessee General Assembly has a tool that allows you to create an account and search, follow, or  get updates on bills that you find interesting. To help your search, bills can be narrowed down  based on the legislative sponsor, key term(s) or subject.
How can I do that?1. Go to the Tennessee General Assembly’s website2. Click on the “My Bills” tool,3. Create an account 4. Add bills to your list5. Track the bills progress as they proceed through the General Assembly