Rhode Island Launches New Youth Opioid Addiction Prevention Program
By: Tim Studebaker
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Twitter: @TStudebakerABC6
Email: tstudebaker@abc6.com
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – On Wednesday, the state of Rhode Island unveiled its next step in its partnership with the national organization “Truth Initiative,” aimed at stopping opioid addiction in young people before it has a chance to take hold.
Truth Initiative Chief of Community Engagement Amy Taylor says, “Just in 2017, nearly 250 young people overdosed and died from opioid misuse.”
The campaign, called “Best Day,” will feature videos showing how opioid dependency could change the course of a young person’s otherwise promising life.
Taylor says, “It’s really geared at talking to young people in their voice about what could happen if you have an injury, and use opioids to get through that injury, and what can happen if you misuse opioids.”
A Truth Initiative survey showed that only 22% of young people know opioid dependence can happen in just 5 days.
Truth About Opioids Campaign’s RI Project Lead Daniel Fitzgerald says, “In those five days, it’s not the end of the road. It’s not too late. We can transition folks over and pair them up with resources that they need in the community.”
The Truth Initiative has resources available on their website: https://www.thetruth.com/
© WLNE-TV / ABC6 2020
