Resources for Communities and Schools

Communities and schools are among Minnesota’s most important assets in preventing and fighting prescription painkiller misuse and abuse. Resources for communities wishing to develop community-based programs or events focusing on public awareness and prevention are below. You’ll also find resources for schools and educators, including teaching tool kits, lesson plans, and opportunities to hold school events, all aimed at prevention, awareness, and treatment of drug abuse, including prescription painkillers and other opiates.

For Communities

SAMHSA Opioid Overdose TOOLKIT: Facts for Community Members
This Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) toolkit provides materials to communities to assist with developing policies and practices to help prevent opioid-related overdoses and deaths.

Center for the Application of Prevention Technologies (CAPT)
CAPT is a national substance abuse prevention training program offering training and technical assistance to states, tribes, and local communities to create and implement approaches to prescription drug misuse and abuse prevention.

National Prevention Week
In an effort to increase public awareness of mental health and substance abuse disorders, SAMHSA coordinates National Prevention Week, an annual observance dedicated to awareness, prevention, and action. During National Prevention Week, community organizations across the country organize and host town hall meetings, block parties, health fairs, social media campaigns, and other events.

By viewing the National Prevention Week Communities in Action Yearbook, communities and organizations can learn about other groups that have held successful events. A National Prevention Week Toolkit is available to help plan your event here.

For Schools

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Teaching Packets
Here you’ll find teaching packets that emphasize the science behind drug abuse and addiction, with a focus on understanding the brain’s reward center.

NIDA Prescription Drug Event Toolkit for Teachers
NIDA provides a Prescription Drug Event Toolkit for schools and teachers interested in organizing an event focused on prescription drug misuse and abuse.

NIDA Lesson Plan and Activity Finder for Teachers
NIDA’s Lesson Plan and Activity Finder contains material, including science-based lesson plans and classroom activities, for grades 5-12.

5 Steps to Hosting a National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week Event
National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week was created by scientists at NIDA to encourage locally planned and hosted educational events that focus on science’s role in explaining drug use and addiction.

Get Smart About Drugs—A DEA Resource for Parents, Educators & Caregivers
The Get Smart About Drugs website contains resources for educators, including prevention, awareness, and treatment information relating to opioid painkiller misuse and abuse.

DEA’s Chasing the Dragon Documentary and Study Guide for Educators
The DEA and FBI created the documentary Chasing the Dragon: the Life of an Opiate Addict and, with the help of educators, created a study guide to supplement the documentary.