Friday, November 22, 2024
11/22/2024
The University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy (UMSOP), in collaboration with community pharmacies and stakeholders across North Mississippi, proposes a comprehensive initiative to address opioid-related emergencies among college and high school students. Through established partnerships with Community Pharmacy Enhanced Services Networks (CPESN) and MississippiCare (MC), this project aims to implement a pharmacist-led, school-based naloxone and fentanyl testing strip (FTS) accessibility program. The proposed project will use a "Train the Trainer" approach to educate community pharmacists and student pharmacists from UMSOP in delivering naloxone and FTS training to University of Mississippi and high school students. The training curriculum will be developed by UMSOP faculty pharmacists in conjunction with the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), incorporating in-person workshops with additional online resources. Focused on the 28 medically underserved counties in Northern Mississippi, where health outcomes are regularly below national averages, the initiative targets University of Mississippi college students and high school students (grades 9-12). By equipping students with knowledge of opioid overdose symptoms, naloxone administration, and FTS use, the program aims to empower them to intervene effectively in opioid-related emergencies and reduce associated harm. The overarching goals of this project are to expand access to naloxone and FTS among students at the University of Mississippi and high schools in Northern Mississippi, and to empower students with the knowledge, skills, and resources to recognize opioid overdose symptoms, administer naloxone effectively, and make informed decisions regarding drug use through fentanyl testing. Key objectives include developing partnerships with student organizations, school districts, and local stakeholders to coordinate training programs; disseminating educational materials to raise awareness and reduce stigma; and distributing naloxone kits and FTS to students, accompanied by comprehensive counseling on usage and storage. Through these efforts, the project seeks to reach approximately 10% of the University of Mississippi student population (around 2,000 students) and an estimated 24,000 high school students across Northern Mississippi. Written consent will be obtained for all participants to ensure transparency and community involvement in program implementation. Continuous evaluation and stakeholder feedback will inform program enhancements, fostering a sustainable approach to opioid harm reduction in educational settings. By expanding access to naloxone and FTS and empowering students with life-saving skills, this initiative strives to mitigate the impact of opioid misuse and enhance community resilience against drug-related emergencies in Northern Mississippi.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
