The AmerisourceBergen Foundation today announced further progress in its commitment to partner with community-based organizations to help prevent opioid misuse and promote safe disposal. Through its Opioid Resource Grant Program, the Foundation awarded more than 30 organizations demonstrating community leadership with grants to provide critically needed youth, provider and community education around preventing and addressing prescription medication misuse.

“Education is an invaluable tool in combatting the opioid crisis. The Foundation is committed to working to support organizations embedded in their efforts to raise awareness of the intricacies of the issue and put into place harm-reduction strategies through educating citizens,” said Gina Clark, President of the AmerisourceBergen Foundation. “These grants enable many diverse organizations to bring evidence-based education programs to our young people and the providers who care for all of us. We believe these organizations, along with the education programs they provide, can drive sustained positive impact around the issue of opioid misuse for years to come.”

Youth-based education programs around opioids can help to mitigate risk factors that make youth vulnerable to engaging in dangerous behaviors. Under the guidance and leadership of the External Advisory Committee (EAC), several youth-focused organizations were selected to receive funding toward education, which will bolster existing programs that provide mentorships, implement evidence-based substance abuse school programs, such as training on the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF), and deliver prevention tools such as drug refusal skills and safe disposal practices.  These programs help children understand the importance of caring for their mental health, the risk of addiction and the crucial role young people can play in solving the crisis within their communities. Some of these organizations included:

• Boys & Girls Club in Tennessee
• National Recreation and Park Association
• Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA)

Additional grants were awarded to institutions focused on provider education, which has proven to have an impact on prescription accuracy, improved confidence in guideline-based prescribing and increased supervision by physicians on their patients. These organizations use online and in-person training programs to enhance prevention education among providers, promote responsible prescribing practices and policies, reduce illicit acquisitions and diversions of opioids, as well as provide safe and secure drug take back locations. They include:

• Overdose Lifeline
• University of Idaho
• Public Health Solutions

Finally, several grants support the implementation of community-level education programs and campaigns. Education of the general community such as parents, neighbors, veterans and others can serve as the primary line of defense in preventing drug abuse if they are aware of warning signs and ways to help. These programs are designed to enhance prevention and safe disposal, combat the stigma associated with opioid misuse and provide support for veterans with chronic pain and others negatively affected by opioid use. For these efforts, the Foundation is supporting organizations such as:

• NDRI-USA
• Montgomery Aids Outreach dba Medical Advocacy & Outreach
• Drug Prevention Resources

This marks the Foundation’s first giving cycle for fiscal year 2019. Grants for the second giving cycle of fiscal year 2019, chosen by the EAC, will be determined in late Spring. For more information about the AmerisourceBergen Foundation and its approach to end controlled substance misuse, please visit www.amerisourcebergenfoundation.org. 

About the AmerisourceBergen Foundation          

The AmerisourceBergen Foundation is an independent not-for-profit charitable giving organization established by AmerisourceBergen Corporation to support health-related causes that enrich that global community. The Foundation aims to improve the health and well-being of its patient populations – both human and animal – by investing in its communities. Through strategic partnerships and community collaboration, the Foundation works to expand access to quality healthcare and provide resources to ensure prescription drug safety. For more information, visit www.amerisourcebergenfoundation.org.

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