TYSA Opioids & Stimulants Prevention Pledge
We can all work together to prevent opioid and other drug misuse while supporting our youth.
We have the ability to prevent and reduce substance use, if we pledge to take the following ACTIONS:
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Ask: I will ask my child’s doctor about the risks associated with opioids and other prescription drugs, and if non-opioid pain management alternatives could be right for my child.
| If you’re worried that your child may be misusing drugs, contact a trusted resource at their school to ask for support. |
Connect: I will make time to connect with my child regularly, even when it seems like things are too busy.
| Strong connections are the foundation to trusted relationships. You want your child to feel like they can come to you for anything, both the good things and the bad. It’s okay to share your own stories too, including what you went through when you were their age. They might not tell you everything about who they are spending time with or what’s happening on their social media, but these moments of connection are important opportunities to impart your own values and approach on how to handle similar challenges they may face. |
Talk: I will talk to my child about the dangers of prescription medications.
| Emphasize that just because prescription medications are prescribed by a doctor, does not mean they are harmless! Never share medications, take more than prescribed, or mix with alcohol and other drugs. Set clear rules and expectations about all medications — even though your child may be capable of self-administering over-the-counter medications, use of drugs like opioids, stimulants, and other prescription drugs should be closely supervised by an adult. |
Inform: I will stay informed about what medications my child is prescribed and what they are using.
| Learn about the side effects of using different drugs so you understand what side effects to expect and when a particular drug reaction may be abnormal. Ask your child’s doctor or use tools like WebMD’s drug interaction checker to understand how different drugs (including alcohol and marijuana) interact with one another. |
Organize: I will organize with other caregivers in my community, and get involved in TYSA’s work to become a champion for substance use prevention and treatment on Staten Island.
| So much of the local conversation around substance use is steeped in stigma and misunderstandings around substance use and seeking help for substance use. While the first step is to learn more about these issues, the next one is to share what you’ve learned with the rest of the community, and together, we can start to build a new culture around how we deal with substance use in a compassionate and healing way. |
Narcan: I will be prepared with Narcan in case of an opioid overdose, which can reverse the potentially fatal effects of the overdose.
| Fentanyl is a manufactured opioid that is many times stronger and more dangerous than even morphine or heroin, and recently, lab analysis of confiscated & recovered drugs across NYC has shown that fentanyl is present in all types of drugs. By learning how to use Narcan and carrying Narcan with you at all times, you can be prepared to save a life in case of an overdose. |
Secure: I will secure the medications in my home to ensure that they aren’t being misused.
| Nearly 3 in 10 teens who report misusing prescription pain relievers said they got them from home (YDS, 2019). Dispose of unused, unwanted, and expired medications. When a prescription is no longer needed, dispose of any unused medications using a drug deactivation pouch or at any drug drop box location. Click here to find a local drug drop box location near you. (Even though alcohol and marijuana are legal, adults that have these drugs in their home should always safely store them and keep them away from children.) |