Education & Media Campaigns:

These resources provide examples of media campaigns that can be coordinated in communities, as well as films and videos that can be incorporated into education and prevention efforts. Communities may use these resources to construct their own media campaign that is person-first and harm-reduction oriented, or to participate in state or national campaigns, awareness days, or education efforts in their communities.

Elements of a Successful Community Education Campaign:

Know Overdose Campaign: Showing the Human Aspect of Drug Use - This unique ad campaign offers human-first media that prioritizes harm reduction and distributing naloxone.

MorePowerfulNC Community Media Toolkits: These toolkits contain templates and premade communication materials about the NC opioid crisis, including factsheets, take back cards, posters, social media posts, and more.

Stop the Stigma: Language to Avoid and Language to Use PDF - This document offers person-first, stigma-free language around substance use and those who use substances, including the situations in which this language can be most helpful.

Talking About Drug Use: A Glossary for Elected Officials PDF - This document offers a glossary of language around substance use to use in policymaking and public addresses, all of which is person-first and harm-reduction oriented instead of stigmatizing or demeaning.

No Wrong Door for Opioid Safety Webinar: How to Communicate for Impact - This webinar includes best practices from national experts on constructing public communications campaigns, as well as effective messaging to address stigma, harm reduction, and attracting media attention to an organization’s work.

Films and Videos:

Addiction (2018) by PBS NOVA: This film shares the stories of people struggling with addiction, as well as scientific information about the nature of addictive drugs and addiction as a disease, rather than as a personal or moral issue.

Alcohol/Drug Council: Exploring the Substance Use Disorder Field in NC: This short video provides information about how to reduce stigma around substance misuse, as well as resources about how to seek treatment or otherwise access resources related to intervention and recovery.

Heroin(e) (2017) on Netflix: This film focuses on the generational aspect of opioid addiction in Huntington, West Virginia, and efforts that one family made to break the cycle and get into recovery.

“NC’s Opioid Crisis”: Sampson County Public Service Announcement: This long-form PSA spotlights Sampson County’s multifaceted approach to fighting the opioid crisis, including limiting drug flow in their community and investing in treatment and recovery programs.

Recovery Boys (2018) on Netflix: This film focuses on the difficulties and hope of recovery and reentering society after experiencing opioid use disorder.

Resilience (2016): Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) by KPJR Films: This film contains information about the impact of stress and trauma on the body, as well as how protective factors can build resilience in those affected by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and help them overcome challenges.

UNC-TV- NC’s Opioid Crisis: This episode of ncIMPACT on UNC-TV focuses on the impacts of opioids on pregnant women, and how the Cabarrus Health Alliance works to mitigate the effects of prenatal opioid use in their community.

Other Campaigns:

CDC Rx Awareness Campaign - This series of videos offers the stories of thirteen people whose lives were negatively impacted by prescription opioid misuse.

Engaging Elected Officials - This webinar, available from the NC Rural Center, contains information about how to engage local and state-level elected officials, including a recorded webinar, downloadable tips, and a whiteboard video.

International Overdose Awareness Day - This website about International Overdose Awareness Day, August 31^st, has information on how this day can be made into an awareness event in various communities, as well as how to host an activity and promotional resources.

Lock Your Meds NC - This site offers more information on the Lock Your Meds campaign, including information about how locking prescription medications can reduce misuse, and how to implement lockbox campaigns in communities.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day - This takeback day, sponsored by the DEA, takes place twice a year, and focuses on proper disposal of medications and drugs.

The Opioid Crisis in America - This online course from Harvard University is available for free and teaches enrollees about the opioid epidemic, including treatment and recovery information.