Be The Substance
Family-based resources and education for opioid and substance use disorders.
substance [suhb-stuhns]: noun
6. substantial or solid character or quality.
Who We Are
In 2017, nine Utah counties were identified as opioid hot spots (Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, 2020), resulting in Utah State University (USU) Cooperative Extension creating a health initiative addressing opioid harm reduction. The initiative expands Extension resources as part of the Health Extension: Advocacy, Research, and Teaching (HEART) program. Opioid funding was approved in the state’s budget for county support, and as Utah’s Land Grant University.
While opioid overdose impacts in Utah continue to exist, awareness of specific substance use and opioid use disorders (SUD/OUD) is on the rise. This site offers education, training, and resources that encourage harm and stigma reduction, prevention, treatment, and recovery - based on L.O.V.E. (learning opportunities in vulnerable enviornments. The overarching theme of L.O.V.E. enables us to engage rural communities in crucial conversations, extend knowledge statewide, and help create positive outcomes based on evidence-based understanding and best practices. Be The Substance encourages community members to become a source of hope, support, and acceptance. After all, substance and opioid use disorder affects us all. You, too, can Be The Substance and support those experiencing SUD/OUD.
Did you know the US maternal mortality rate has recently been on the rise? And neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) and a variety of other maternal-infant health concerns are increasing. While there are many possible contributors to these conditions, two primary concerns are mental health and substance misuse/overdose. Join us to learn more about NAS and the treatment options available for pregnant mothers who experience substance use disorder. By understanding the diagnosis and offering support, we can all contribute to positive outcomes for affected mothers and babies in our communities.
Featured Speaker: Marcela Smid, MD, MS, MA
- What are opioids and why are they dangerous?
- Words Matter: Use the Correct Terminology
- Who is at risk for opioid use disorder?
- Pain Management Alternatives
- Infectious Diseases and Opioids
- Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS)
- Harm Reduction: Needle Exchange
- Safe Medication Disposal
- Do Your Part to end the Opioid Epidemic
- Recognizing an Opioid Overdose
- Naloxone Saves Lives
How We Can Help