Promoting Substance Use Prevention and Recovery Training and Education through Extension in Rural KY

The Community and Economic Development Initiative of Kentucky and the Family Consumer Sciences Extension Program both housed under the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension System has proposed a multi-faceted approach to preventing and reducing opioid misuse via research-based public education (Addiction 101), implementation of evidence-based prevention programming (Life Skills Training and Communities that Care), and the provision of recovery support services (Financial Education curriculum) as well as a novel arts-expression program to support at-risk individuals. This proposal is designed to address the following four substance use prevention and recovery goals and related objectives. Goal 1: Increase the capacity of local community leaders to reduce risk factors, including improving the community’s awareness of mental health issues that contribute to substance abuse. Goal 2: Decrease the prevalence of substance use in communities by implementing evidence-based programs. Goal 3: Improve rates of recovery by addressing and minimizing the economic and social barriers to successful re-entry. Goal 4: Provide up-to-date resources and information on the prevention and treatment of substance use disorder easily accessible to the public.