Alyssa Nieves

Title : Opioid education as a preventative tool: A study on harm prevention

Abstract:

With the opioid epidemic on the rise there has been a significant increase in overdoses and drug related deaths (McMahan et al., 2022). The current study aims to educate participants on the dangers of opioid use and understand the role harm reduction has as a preventative measure in reducing opioid related overdose. Are discussions of opioid education associated with higher levels of confidence in adult's ability to respond in emergency situations? Secondly, does participation in a harm reduction education training influence increased awareness in opioid overdose symptoms/signs? We hypothesize that opioid education will be associated with higher levels of confidence in adult's ability to respond in emergency situations. In addition, we hypothesize participation in a harm reduction education training will be associated with increased awareness in opioid identifying overdose symptoms/signs. Previous research has suggested educating people in harm reduction methods has been useful in preventing overdose on opioids specifically overdose associated with fentanyl poisoning (McMahan et al., 2022). Overdose prevention measures and public health interventions have been shown to be beneficial in combating these negative influences (Bardwell et al., 2021). With the opioid epidemic on the rise, opioid related deaths are increasing at a drastic rate. The current study is a convenience study. Data collection is expected to conclude once the target sample size of 200 participants is reached. Further research on harm reduction education is essential to understanding and raising awareness to combat the rate of opioid related overdose and deaths.

Audience Take Away Notes:

• The audience will receive informative information on opioid education, have access to harm prevention training and learn how to identify and respond to an opioid overdose.
• Harm prevention training is essential in all situations by being informed and knowing the signs it can save a life.
• This research is helpful to everyone and can be used to both educate and spread awareness as it pertains to opioid education.
• Harm prevention training serves as a practical preventative tool to combat the opioid epidemic. It provides individuals with knowledge and the confidence on how to respond in emergency situations.
• Further research on harm reduction education is essential to understanding and raising awareness to combat the rate of opioid related overdose and deaths.

Biography:

Alyssa Nieves is a Psychological Science major and Art, Media and Design minor at Cal State University, United States. Since transferring to a 4-year University she has been actively involved on campus. She is a TRIO McNair Scholar and is currently involved with research on harm prevention to raise awareness on the dangers of opioid use. She joined the research group of Dr. Huynh at The Culture, Diversity and Reasoning Lab at Cal State San Marcos (CSUSM). Currently she is conducting research with Dr. Grabow of Cal State San Marcos on The Association of Trauma and Fentanyl. Her research interests are trauma, mental health, healthy relationships and drug and alcohol treatment. She aspires to be a psychologist with a specialty in trauma to offer a safe space for her clients to heal.