Gwinnett County
GUIDE has several initiatives in Gwinnett County to address prescription drug misuse.
In partnership with local law enforcement agencies in the county, GUIDE promotes Drug Take Back Days, as well as the prescription drug disposal drop box locations throughout the county.
GUIDE has provided handouts on heroin and the brain and addiction to Gwinnett County Public Schools that are available to parents, teachers and students. In the coming months, GUIDE will be developing posters and other materials related to opioids that will be available for use throughout the schools. Other resources that have been developed are available on our Materials tab.
Our “Inspired to Make Healthy Choices” monthly newsletter, which features several issues related to opioids, is on display throughout the county each month by several GUIDE partners, including Gwinnett County Public Schools and Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation. A few issues of our Inspired newsletter related to prescription drugs include the following:
- Prescription Drug Disposal
- Prescription Drug Misuse
- Prescription Medication Storage & Disposal
- Cleaning Out the Medicine Cabinet
In partnership with Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale Health Departments, GUIDE provides Naloxone to first responders in Gwinnett County. Naloxone is a prescription drug that can reverse the effects of opioid overdose and can be life-saving if administered in time. GUIDE fundraises year-round to provide this medication through our partnership.
DeKalb County
GUIDE receives funding from the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities as a community provider completing the Strategic Prevention Framework-Prescription Drug (SPF-Rx) project to prevent prescription drug misuse in DeKalb County. Using the SPF model, GUIDE is working to implement appropriate evidence-based strategies in the community. GUIDE is partnering with local schools, community organizations, like local police departments and Decatur Prevention Initiative, to work within the county to engage community members and stakeholders. One way GUIDE is working to raise awareness of this issue is by increasing knowledge about the dangers of prescription drugs and how to dispose of them safely throughout DeKalb County.