FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARCH 12, 2019
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Public Health Management Corporation Launches PA Opioid Prevention Project
The youth-developed campaign empowers teens and parents statewide to make healthy choices and serve as community advocates
PHILADELPHIA – Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC), a nonprofit public health institute that creates and sustains healthier communities, today celebrated the launch of the PA Opioid Prevention Project, a youth-developed, multi-media opioid misuse prevention campaign designed to empower youth and parents with the education, knowledge and resources to make healthy choices. PHMC leaders were joined at a kick-off event by Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania Attorney General, key City and State officials and young adults from the PA Youth First advisory council. Funded by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, the campaign educates youth and parents on opioid use disorder, linking them to preventive strategies, resources and actionable steps.
PHMC assembled a statewide youth advisory council, PA Youth First, to develop the campaign’s creative approach, style and messaging. The youth were involved in all aspects of campaign development and dissemination, including the name, logo, branding, tagline and tone of communication. The multi-faceted campaign includes a comprehensive website with resources, preventive strategies and calls to action along with youth and parent social media advertisements, youth-targeted videos and outdoor advertisements throughout Allentown, Lancaster, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and York.
“When it comes to substance use disorder, prevention is an often overlooked, yet integral component of the continuum of care for someone,” said Richard J. Cohen, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of PHMC. “The teens’ passion and commitment to enacting positive change in the local community by spreading the word about opioid misuse is a huge step in curtailing this public health crisis and eliminating the stigma in simply having the conversation.”
According to a 2017 Pennsylvania State Health Assessment, 13 individuals died every day from drug overdose in Pennsylvania and 85 percent were result of prescription or illicit opioid use.
The campaign uses a powerful tell-it-like-it-is tone and encourages teens and parents to learn more about opioid misuse and serve as advocates for prevention, safety and wellness with the tagline, “It’s your move.”
"The opioid epidemic is my top priority as the Chief Law Enforcement Officer of Pennsylvania, and I know that educating and empowering children is a key tool in this battle," Attorney General Josh Shapiro said. "As my Office works to take drug dealers out of our communities and hold pharmaceutical companies accountable, I'm thankful PHMC is also doing its part to keep Pennsylvanians safe. Having information on substance use, prevention and intervention readily available to our youth is imperative to helping them make good choices in the moment.”
“In order to have meaningful and lasting impact on the opioid crisis, we need to devote time and resources to educating the community about the risks of opioid use and provide strategies that children and parents can use to protect themselves,” said PCCD Acting Executive Director Derin Myers. “As a leader and strong supporter of prevention efforts, PCCD looks forward to working with PHMC on this initiative and examining the results of this campaign.”
The PA Opioid Prevention Project was funded by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. To learn more about the PA Opioid Prevention Project, please visit https://paopioidprevention.org. Paid for with Pennsylvania tax payer dollars.
About PHMC
Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) is a nonprofit public health institute that creates and sustains healthier communities. PHMC uses best practices and evidence-based guidelines to improve community health through direct service, partnership, innovation, policy, research, technical assistance and a prepared workforce. PHMC has served the region since 1972. For more information on PHMC, visit www.phmc.org, like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
About PA Opioid Prevention Project
Launched by PHMC, the PA Opioid Prevention Project is a statewide multi-media, opioid misuse prevention campaign targeting youth, ages 14-18. Funded by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, the campaign’s goal is to empower teens and parents with education, knowledge and resources to make healthy choices. The project is developed by teens, for teens. For more information, visit www.paopioidprevention.org, like our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram.
