YOUR MONTHLY NEWS & UPDATES
MAY 2020
OUR SERVICES WILL CONTINUE AS NORMAL
We are still operating but due to COVID-19 concerns we are enacting social distancing protocol to benefit all. Please call or email during normal business hours and a staff member will get back to you.
General Questions: (208) 854-3045, info@odp.idaho.gov
Upcoming Events
  • June 10th - Governors Opioid and Substance Use Disorder Advisory Group Meeting

  • June 17th & 18th - Idaho Opioid Misuse and Overdose Strategic Plan Retreat
Updates & Resources
#FindingHope Prevention Week for Idaho Youth
Notus School District provided virtual and take-home prevention activities to support their students remotely during National Prevention Week.
The activity sheets were developed in partnership with Boise State University as one part of an effort to provide information, education, and parenting tips to families and kids of all ages.

"The Office of Drug Policy and other community partners around the state want to give students and parents tools to help them talk about prevention, drug and alcohol misuse, vaping, and mental health," said administrator Melinda Smyser.

NATIONAL PREVENTION WEEK 2020
Four Ways to Get Involved
National Prevention Week (NPW) is an annual health observance dedicated to increasing public awareness and action around substance misuse and mental health issues.

Adolescents and full-time college students most often use substances for the first time during June or July, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration , making the start of summer an important time for parents, communities, and prevention professionals to re-focus on prevention.

While NPW 2020 took place May 10-16th, prevention efforts happens year-round. Here are four ideas to help you make prevention happen where you are:

  1. Watch and share the Idaho Regional Alcohol Drug Awareness Resources (RADAR) Centers Educational Presentations and Prevention Week 2020 Videos.
  2. Download and print Activity Sheets for Youth on ODP's Be The Parents website.
  3. Visit https://prevention.odp.idaho.gov to Find Prevention Near You.
  4. Download and share SAMHSA resources.
Raise Awareness for Idaho Mental Health Month
1 in 4 Idahoans live with a mental health condition.
Together we have the power to raise awareness regarding mental health and end the damaging stigma surrounding mental illness.
How will you help raise awareness?
OFFICE OF DRUG POLICY UPDATES
Feel free to send me an email with any questions, or visit my LinkedIn to learn more about me.
Meet Jessie Dexter

Hi everyone! I am the new Program Specialist with the Office of Drug Policy and the new e-newsletter editor.

A little about me - I'm an Idaho native, born and raised in Sandpoint, Idaho. I attended the University of Idaho for my undergraduate studies and received my Master of Public Administration degree from Boise State University.

I came to ODP from Boise State University, where I coordinated the Student Basic Needs Collaborative and did program development and advocacy on student food and housing insecurity in higher education across the state. Prior to that, I did fund development work with the Treasure Valley YMCA and served as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer with Global Talent Idaho and the Idaho Office of Refugees.

I'm so excited to join the amazing team at ODP and work with all of our partners on substance misuse prevention across Idaho!
Support for Parents During COVID-19 and Beyond
The Office of Drug Policy has worked with the Idaho Regional Alcohol Drug Awareness Resource (RADAR) Center to create resources to help parents during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Resources include:


Find more educational presentations at the RADAR website.
GRANTEE SPOTLIGHT
Prevention Associates of Idaho
Avery Castillo, a 10th grader at New Plymouth High School, created this poster as part of the "Take Five" Vaping program delivered by Prevention Associates of Idaho in Region III schools.
We envision a safe and healthy Idaho free from the devastating impact of substance use on youth, families, and communities.
Idaho Office of Drug Policy | https://odp.idaho.gov/