The Carbon and Emery Opioid and Substance Use Coalition is working to combat the opioid epidemic by providing community education, reducing stigma, and offering resources for recovery and chronic pain management through the HEART initiative. This effort includes the Little Cities of Hope series, which aims to bring awareness to limited resource and treatment options in rural communities.
Coalition Strategies and Goals
The HEART initiative, led by Utah State University Extension, is partnering with health departments, research experts, community coalitions, and other key stakeholders to coordinate on-the-ground efforts. These efforts focus on providing evidence-based information, community-based solutions, and multi-sector partnerships to address substance use. A primary goal of the Carbon and Emery Opioid and Substance Use Coalition is to work with local community members to decrease stigma and increase effective prevention, treatment, and harm reduction efforts to create healthier communities.
Expanding Rural Awareness
To reach residents in areas with limited access to information, the HEART faculty in partnership with the coalition is offering the Little Cities of Hope series. This series is designed to bring information and awareness regarding limited resource and treatment options to the community through ETV News. This approach aims to bridge the gap in rural areas where access to specialized healthcare and substance use information may be restricted.
Youth Prevention Initiatives
The coalition's educational efforts extend to youth through the BE-EPIC: Escape the Vape program. This initiative uses confidence building, educational events, and the CATCH-My Breath curriculum to prevent the use of vapes and e-cigarettes. Students in grades 5-12 receive factual information and skills to recognize peer pressure, helping them improve their ability to decline tobacco products.
Chronic Pain and Veteran Support
Beyond substance use, the HEART team provides programming focused on chronic pain management. The team co-sponsors free six-week workshops that teach individuals skills to actively manage pain conditions. These workshops are based on proven methods designed to reduce pain and improve daily activity and function. Additionally, the HEART faculty partners with Veteran’s Affairs health services to bring pain education and opioid safety programs to community members and veterans living in Emery and Tooele Counties.
Mental Health and Resilience
The initiative also addresses mental health and wellness through a variety of resources. These include materials on how building resilience helps prevent substance use, coping substance-free during recovery month, and managing the connection between opioids and suicide. Other resources focus on mental health topics such as self-compassion, the impact of body image on mental health, and managing anxiety and depression through a growth mindset.
Educational Resources and Materials
The program's scope includes diverse educational materials ranging from instructional videos to specialized publications. Available resources include the 'Debunked Podcast' from the Tribal and Rural Opioid Initiative and various guides on how to support someone in recovery. The initiative also provides information on navigating difficult conversations and the importance of healthy partner relationship boundaries.
Expert Leadership and Research
The Carbon and Emery Opioid and Substance Use Coalition's work is supported by specialized faculty, including Dr. Ashley Yaugher, a Professional Practice Extension Associate Professor in Health and Wellness for the HEART Initiative. Dr. Yaugher, who holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology from Texas A&M University, focuses her research on impulsivity, at-risk groups, and psychopathology. Her work includes studying the impacts of COVID-19 messaging campaigns and the benefits of acceptance and commitment therapy for chronic pain.
