LifeBridge Healthy Future Coordinators will implement Overdose Lifeline’s This is Not About Drugs program. Members will work help West Virginian’s develop a belief that misusing prescriptions has negative consequences, reduce the belief that substance use is a positive coping skill, and reduce shame and stigma around substance use disorders and addiction.
Service Activities
Educate youth, 6th grade and above, on the risks of prescription and opioid use.
Assist individuals to increase their health knowledge of opioid or prescription drug misuse.
Refer those in need to resources in their area to help them meet their basic needs.
Assist individuals to receive the resources they need through WV 2-1-1
Community Need Addressed
Youth misuse of prescription opioids result in increased risks of substance use disorder, transition to heroin, overdose, and death. *WV high school students (CDC, 2019): 30% drink alcohol, 37.7% tried marijuana (7.5% before age 13); 18.9% use marijuana, 10.4% used synthetic marijuana, 11.7% took prescription pain meds without prescription or different than prescribed, 4.6% used cocaine, 2.8% used heroin, 5.0% used ecstasy, 2.7% injected an illegal drug, and 23.9% were offered, sold, or given an illegal drug on school property.
Position Outcomes
*increased health knowledge
*Increased awareness of accurate opioid, addiction, and substance abuse information
*Increased learning from peer experience around the initiation, progression and addiction of opioids
*Increased awareness of role of peers, coping, family and environment
*Increased knowledge about opioids and their effects.
*Increased understanding of addiction as a brain disease, and the risk factors for developing addiction.
*Develop an accurate view of prescription or opioid misuse as risky or harmful; and on pathways to substance use including peer pressure.
*Increased self confidence in asking for help and resisting peer pressure.
*Reduced belief that substance use is a positive coping skill.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Student loan forbearance, Training
MAP - Member Assistance Program
Education Benefits
Members may obtain many certificates throughout their program year, depending on the training that they take.
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise, Provide relevant expertise
Teamwork
Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Tools
Operate tools and equipment in accordance with established operating procedures, safety standards, and ethical guidelines, Seek opportunities to improve knowledge of tools and technologies that may assist in streamlining work and improving productivity
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create environment of contribution, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Evaluate customer or client satisfaction, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Provide personalized, prompt, and efficient service to meet the requirements, requests and needs of customers, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment