Maury County Prevention Coalition
Stimulant & Opioid Facts
20–25% of Region 5 HS students reported “no/slight risk” in misusing prescription drugs (includes opioids). (TN Together Student Survey Region 5, 2022)
37.9% of ER cases involved prescribed opioids. Many residents may underestimate the risk of prescribed pain relievers. (Jaks, D. (2024). Emergency Department Opioid-Related Visit Data, Maury Regional Medical Center. Unpublished internal dataset.)
In a survey of Maury County Residents conducted by the health department, the top issue of concerns identified is “Illegal Drug Use” (15.6%). (Maury County Community Health Survey, 2022)
35-40% of Region 5 Students say it is “fairly or very easy” to obtain prescription drugs not prescribed to them. (TN Together Student Survey Region 5, 2022)
In Region 5, students report friends and relatives as the most common source of misused prescription stimulants. (TN Together Survey, 2022-23)
In 2023, 10% of high school students had ever used certain illicit drugs (defined as cocaine, inhalants, heroin, methamphetamines, hallucinogens, or ecstasy). (Youth Behavior Risk Survey, 2023)
MCPC works to prevent stimulant and opioid abuse through:
Policy, Practice, or Procedure Change
- Increase the practice of caregivers discussing the dangers of opioids use/misuse with their dependents.
- Establish a practice of parents/caregivers discussing stimulant use/misuse at least annually.
Providing Information
- Community-wide opioid prevention education campaign to educate the community and political leaders about the negative consequences of substance use with local and relevant data.
- Disseminate opioid risk fact sheets at universal community touch points (libraries, events ,government offices, healthcare).
- Hold at least 1 town hall meeting to increase public awareness of opioid use/misuse, consequences and policy efforts.
- Presentations to civic groups and youth serving organizations on stimulant trends and prevention steps.
- Provide information on stimulant use disorder, and use trends on social media and website.
- Provide school counselors, student athletics, and other youth serving organizations information for substance use prevention and local resources.
Building Skills
- Train community leaders and volunteers to deliver brief, consistent opioid and stimulant prevention messaging.
- Train youth spokesperson(s) to present opioid and stimulant use/misuse data in their communities.
Providing Support
- Hold and/or coordinate take back events throughout the county.
- Provide parents and community members with opioid prevention education toolkits (conversation guides, fact sheets).
- Maintain a centralized, publicly accessible prevention resource hub focused on opioid and stimulant education.
Increase Barriers/Reduce Access
- Host an alternative event(s) to promote safe storage norms for prescription opioids and prescription stimulants through universal education campaigns.
- Provide medication lockboxes to schools, clinics, healthcare providers and parent groups.
Reduce Barriers/Increase Access
- Provide Redline telephone number for treatment services on printed and electronic materials.
- Increase access to accurate opioid and stimulant prevention information through multiple formats (print, digital, in-person).
Changing Incentives/Consequences
- Publicly recognize outstanding community partners at an annual awards event and through media.
- Begin a media campaign to publicly recognize a “Partner of the Quarter” for sector agencies that contribute to the mission of the coalition.
Changing the Physical Design of the Environment
- Post opioid prevention education signage in universal community locations (clinics, pharmacies, schools, community centers, health department).
- Place “medication safety” signage where it matters (nurses office, counselor waiting areas, parent resource centers).
Talking with your Teen about Opioids
Recovery Resources
Tennessee Redline: 1.800.889.9789