Committed to Auburn University’s land-grant mission, the Harrison College of Pharmacy’s (HCOP) Center for Opioid Research, Education, and Outreach (COACH) developed an outreach initiative to reach middle school and junior high students across Alabama. The initiative sought to educate students on the harms of prescription and illicit drugs and introduce the profession of pharmacy. Research has shown that the earlier we educate children and adolescents, the better the outcomes. COACH-affiliated faculty and staff, recruitment staff, and student pharmacists were delighted to partner with local schools to offer this educational opportunity. COACH team members, pharmacy students, and HCOP staff traveled to four diverse middle school locations to educate students on the harms of prescription and illicit drugs and introduce the profession of pharmacy. Students participated in assembly programs and/or workshops. We discussed the dangers of taking prescription drugs inappropriately or someone else’s medication and trying illicit drugs. Program T-shirts for each participant. Over 1,000 middle-school aged Alabamians were educated through this initiative. Funds to support the initiative were raised through Auburn’s annual Tiger Giving Day, held in February 2023.

COACH is interested and excited to partner with local pharmacists to spread this important information across the State of Alabama. COACH is ready and able to provide an educational “toolkit” to pharmacists interested in partnering. The “toolkit” includes presentation slides, an education facilitation guide, a supplies list, and a list of resources. Education currently available is best suited for 5th-9th grade learners; however, the materials could be easily modified to suit any desired grade level student or community member. To learn more information about this project please view our program poster. If you are interested in partnering with COACH, please download and complete this form. Once complete, email the form to us at coach@auburn.edu.