Prevent Coalition (Prevent), a community coalition formed in 2003 and supported by the fiscal agent Educational Service District 112, has received an Opioid Prevention Grant to help fight opioid misuse among youth in Clark County. The grant, funded by the Clark County Opioid Abatement Council, will help Prevent expand its work in education, awareness, and prevention strategies to address the growing dangers of fentanyl and other opioids.
The opioid crisis in Washington State has reached alarming levels, with fentanyl being a significant concern. More than 70% of opioid overdose deaths in the state involve fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid that’s often disguised as regular prescription pills and sold online. This is especially dangerous for young people, as many accidental overdoses happen when they take pills containing fentanyl. In 2023, opioid overdoses caused one in five deaths among Washington residents aged 18-24. In addition, opioid-related fatalities among teenagers aged 14-18 surged almost threefold between 2016 and 2022, jumping from 3.6 per 100,000 adolescents to 10.6 per 100,000.
“The opioid crisis isn’t just a big-city problem – it’s happening right here in our community,” said Mandy Feeks, Community Prevention Project Coordinator for Prevent. “We’re seeing more young people accidentally exposed to fentanyl through fake pills, often bought through social media. This grant will help us reach more families with life-saving information and resources.”
Prevent plans to strengthen community awareness through proven prevention programs. These efforts include providing resources to families, explaining the dangers of sharing prescription medications, and promoting safe medication storage at home. One example is the Locks Save Lives campaign, which teaches families how to properly secure prescription medications to reduce accidental and unauthorized access by children and teens.
Prevent will also promote the Friends for Life initiative, funded by the Washington State Health Care Authority. This program provides schools and communities with educational materials about opioids and fentanyl, including information about naloxone, a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses. Starting in April 2025, Prevent will offer special training classes for middle and high school teachers across the region, helping them bring Friends for Life opioid prevention education into their classrooms.
“Prevention education works best when it comes from trusted sources,” said Joy Lyons, Director of Prevention Programs at ESD 112. “By training educators and providing them with proven resources, we’re building a network of informed adults who can have meaningful conversations with students about the very real dangers of opioids and fentanyl.”
Research shows that teens trust their parents or caregivers most when it comes to getting information about drugs. That’s why Prevent focuses on equipping these trusted adults – including parents, caregivers, school staff, and community members – with accurate information they need to talk with young people about opioids.
This work supports Washington State’s broader efforts to fight opioid misuse. A new law, House Bill 1956, now recommends opioid education as part of Washington’s K-12 health education standards. Prevent’s initiatives will help support these standards, ensuring students receive clear, accurate information about opioid risks.
“Every young person deserves to grow up in a community that actively protects their health and safety,” said Feeks. “Through this grant, we can reach more families with the tools and knowledge they need to prevent opioid misuse before it starts.”
About Prevent Coalition
The Prevent Coalition is a community coalition formed in 2003 to increase collaboration and awareness and reduce youth substance use in Southwest Washington, including Clark, Klickitat, and Skamania counties. Prevent also implements initiatives for rural communities across Washington State through the Rural Network to create a culture that promotes healthy choices. Through support from ESD 112, as well as invaluable community volunteers and organizations across the state, Prevent advocates for policies and regulations that protect, empower, and nurture youth. Prevent is funded by the Youth Cannabis & Commercial Tobacco Program from the Washington Department of Health, the Health Care Authority State Opioid Response grant, and other state and federal grants. For more information, visit www.preventcoalition.org.
