The MPI recently recorded a webinar with the Partners in Prevention, Missouri's higher education substance misuse coalition. The webinar is part of a recently developed training series in partnership with the PTTC. Our presentation discusses data from the most recent MPI Impact Report, COVID-19 impacts, and future prevention recommendations.

There are five webinars on a variety of topics related to substance use prevention and they are all free, you just need to register to access the series.  Registration information can be accessed here: https://www.mopiptraining.org/

The Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) is promoting the value and role of health education specialists through a variety of webinars this week for National Health Education Week. There will be webinars through Friday, with two highlighted below.

Supporting Employee Mental Health and Well-being during COVID-19

Tomorrow, October 21^st @ 2:00 – 3:00 PM

Learn more about Washington County’s experience and efforts promoting mental health for its employees and the larger community with an emphasis on the response to COVID-19.

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZclfuytrDsvHtKT3MM2D_hoLrYLiEIH0Do4

Health Literacy: Words Matter

Thursday, October 22^nd @ 2:00 – 3:00 PM

When organizations or people create and give others health information that is too difficult for them to understand, we create a health literacy problem. When we expect them to figure out health services with many unfamiliar, confusing, or even conflicting steps, we also create a health literacy problem. Even the publics with advanced education can face health literacy issues. Health literacy is important for everyone because we need to find, understand, and use health information and services.

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMkdu-urT0vGdVIhhjAt4FtRFb8EVPtQoel

For more information, visit https://www.sophe.org/focus-areas/national-health-education-week/nhew-activities/.

Cannabis is a plant that has been used for its intoxicating effects for at least a century in the United States and for longer in other cultures. It also has a long history of use around the world for purported medical benefits. More than 100 different cannabinoids have been identified in cannabis. The primary intoxicating cannabinoid in cannabis is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The cannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) has received increasing public attention in recent years; preliminary findings suggest that CBD may be a useful treatment for several medical conditions and it is not reported to be associated with intoxication or addiction, unlike THC. 1 In this document, the term “cannabis” is used to describe the plant-based products. When the document refers specifically to individual cannabinoids, they are identified as such.

To view complete statement click here.

As of Feb 18, 2020, a total of 2807 cases of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) and 68 attributed deaths have been reported to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Diagnostic criteria for EVALI consists of a mixture of non-specific systemic symptoms (eg, fever, chills, and vomiting) and respiratory symptoms (eg, shortness of breath, cough, chest pain, pnoea, and hypoxia), along with detection of lung opacities on imaging. Diagnosis also depends on identifying a history of vaping and careful exclusion of alternative conditions.

A urine drug screen positive for tetrahydrocannabinol, although non-specific for the disease, might be helpful in this aspect by identifying marijuana-containing electronic cigarettes and vape use.

To view Lancet study click here.

Take Back Day is coming up on Saturday, October 24th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. These bi-annual events provide an opportunity to prevent drug misuse and overdose deaths by proper disposal of unused, expired, or unwanted prescription medications. Learn more about the event here and see the below posters for disposal sites for the upcoming event.

To learn about how to dispose of your unwanted, expired, or unused prescription medications year-round, click here.