by Bryant Venosdel, Student Reporter
Northwestern Oklahoma State University and Northern Oklahoma College have received a grant that the schools will use to prevent opioid addiction and substance abuse on their campuses.
The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services has given a $250,000 grant to the universities. The grant will provide funding to train counselors and students on responding to addictions, and it will pay for other services to combat opioid addiction.
Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Bo Hannaford said he is excited that Northwestern has the ability to prevent opioid addiction on campus.
“We’ve already done training with staff and faculty, and we are also going to be doing Narcan training,” he said.
Narcan is a medication given to opioid users who have overdosed. It reverses the effects of opioids in the nervous system.
According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, a total of 388 deaths involving opioids were reported in Oklahoma in 2017.
“According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Oklahoma ranks sixth in the nation in the number of opioid prescriptions, with eight out of 10 residents having a prescription,” said NWOSU President Dr. Janet Cunningham. “In addition, more overdose deaths in our state involve prescription opioids than all illicit drugs combined. We have a responsibility to help prevent opioid abuse and provide resources to help those who are addicted.”
Leaders at both NWOSU and NOC say they will use funding from the grant to educate students about opiod abuse — and to deter students from using opiods.
“We are pleased that as a result of this grant, students will have more access to resources that can help prevent addiction and also help those in need of treatment identify recovery services,” said Dr. Cheryl Evans, president of Northern Oklahoma College.
“NOC is pleased to partner with Northwestern Oklahoma State University on this important initiative to help our students.”
Faculty training has already started at NWOSU.
“We have already had one training for some of our staff and faculty,” Hannaford said. “We really started with student services, and we are also doing CPR training along with the Narcan training. We have some training already with our police chief and our officers, but we’re going to have it to where anyone can give it, so everyone can know what to look for, which we will be doing this semester and next.”
“It’s a good opportunity to bring awareness and training and some professional development for our faculty, which will be beneficial for our school and community.” Hannaford said.