It’s been a balmy 80° on the beaches of sunny Santa Monica in the past few weeks, but nevertheless…Winter greetings from the Educator staff!  We hope each one of you had a restful (or adventurous, or both – whatever rocks your holiday) break.

We’d like to extend a special “Hello” to some of our newest community partners delivering Project ALERT in Woodbury, TN, Kailua, HI, Lakewood, CO, and Los Mochis, Mexico. Welcome! E Komo Mai! ¡Bienvenidos!

Fidelity, Anyone?

We’ve received several inquiries in the last few months about implementation fidelity.  It’s is a continual challenge, but it is critical for program success. We have an informative primer below on how to achieve maximum fidelity as you deliver Project ALERT; and maximum fidelity means maximum results!

Updated Program Manual Available

What’s happening in vaping, inhalants, and marijuana? New prevalence of use data from Monitoring the Future have been released.  Check out which substances were on the rise in 2017 and which lost some ground.  And meet "Green Vaping Guy," in our newest poster that highlights the hazards of e-cigarette use.

State of the Program Survey

Our 2017 survey results are in! Once again, we’re tremendously grateful for our program partners that took the time to let us know how (and if!) they are using Project ALERT, what has been most beneficial about the program, and what suggestions they have for enhancing the curriculum.  See the recap of results from Eric Pedersen.

As we head back to our winter wonderland (aka, the beach), we want to remind you to please contact us with any issues or questions, fidelity or otherwise, at projectalert@rand.org, or 1-800-ALERT-10.  We’re here to help, and aim to respond to all inquiries within 24 hours.

As we’ve been doing each year, the complete Project ALERT manual has been updated with current prevalence of use data, based on 2017 numbers from Monitoring the Future. Additional updates on smoking trends and statistics are derived from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. (We’ve even updated the blurb in Lesson 4 on how much a Super Bowl ad cost in 2018!)

By keeping current and using our latest program manual, teachers and community partners implementing the Project ALERT curriculum can feel confident that they are always presenting the most current facts and figures on substance use trends.

The updated manual, available as individual lessons or one complete 17MB download, is located at www.projectalert.com/account.

 

 

According to newly released data on past-month use in 2017 among 8^th graders from Monitoring the Future:

• 8.0% used alcohol, compared to 7.3% in 2016 and 9.7% in 2015
• 6.6% used a vaporizer, compared to 6.2% in 2016 and 8.0% in 2015
• 3.5% vaped nicotine; 1.6% vaped marijuana
• 5.5% used marijuana, compared to 5.4% in 2016 and 6.5% in 2015
• 1.9% smoked cigarettes, compared to 2.6% in 2016 and 3.6% in 2015
• 2.2% have been drunk, compared to 1.8% in 2016 and 3.1% in 2015
• 2.1% used inhalants, compared to 1.8% in 2016 and 2.0% in 2015

 

The 2017 survey also reports first-ever national, standard estimates of nicotine vaping, marijuana vaping, flavoring-only vaping, and any vaping. Previously, no national study has published estimates for vaping of specific substances for the standard time periods of past 30 days, past year, and lifetime. [1]

Read the full press release from Monitoring the Future here. See all current MTF reports here.

 

 

 

In the last few years, we’ve made many revisions to our curriculum manual.  One of the most significant updates is the inclusion of information on e-cigarettes. We’ve added references to vaping in every tobacco-focused lesson, as its use has surpassed traditional cigarette use among young teens.  These references appear in lesson discussions, roleplays, quizzes, and take-home materials.  We also have published a supplemental guide on e-cigarettes. 

 

In the early morning hours of May 26^th, 2017, the town of Lawrenceville, Georgia was shaken by the sudden death of Dustin Manning, 19, from a Fentanyl overdose. He was a vibrant young man, setting his sights on a career in the US Marine Corps. But in an ironic turn, tragedy would soon turn to disbelief. About an hour later, a local 911 dispatcher received an emergency call from another Lawrenceville resident, Dave Abraham. Dave’s son, Joseph Abraham, 18, and Dustin’s childhood friend, had also overdosed from a fatal dose of Fentanyl. Joe loved the outdoors, enjoyed hiking and fishing, and was taking advanced classes in school. Dustin and Joe lived less than a mile from one another. The suburb of Atlanta was left in shock.[1]

Final toxicology reports have also revealed that rock legend Tom Petty died from an accidental Fentanyl overdose on October 2, 2017. The singer had been prescribed several drugs to treat several health issues, including coronary artery disease, emphysema, depression, insomnia, knee problems, and a fractured hip.

In response to the nation’s opioid crisis--approximately 90 Americans die each day from opioid overdoses--the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently issued a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) for behavioral intervention research that leverages a $1 billion initiative funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) State Targeted Response to the Opioid Crisis Grants, also known as the Opioid STR grants. As part of the 21st Century Cures Act, the Opioid STR grants have been distributed to all 50 U.S. states, U.S. territories, and free-associated states to expand access to evidence-based prevention, treatment, and recovery support services; reduce unmet treatment needs; and help to prevent opioid overdose deaths.[2]

For a list of NIDA’s recent publications and policy briefs about Fentanyl, see NIDA’s Fentanyl page.

 

 

 

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