NYS AHEC Opioid Prevention Education Project
Educating providers, students, and communities to combat the opioid epidemic across New York State.
Project Overview
In 2017, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency to address the ongoing national opioid crisis. This crisis is currently affecting millions of Americans, including many New Yorkers. In response to this crisis, the New York State Area Health Education Center (AHEC) System implemented the Opioid Expansion Project (OEP) in 2018, and received funding from the federal Human Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Over the course of the first project year, more than 60 medical providers received a free Buprenorphine Waiver Training. Additionally, participating AHECs delivered 12 Community Events reaching 456 community members, and hosted 44 High School and College Tabling events across the state, reaching 2,769 students. Building on the success of the inaugural year of the project, the NYS AHEC System is proud to announce additional funding for continued opioid prevention efforts with a newly named project, the Opioid Prevention Education Project. OPEP is expanding to include six AHECs across the state. The project expands training related to opioid diagnosis, use, treatment and prevention for current health professionals, future practitioners, and the general population in New York State. The Opioid Prevention Education Project focuses on two key components: (1) Community Prevention, and (2) Student Education. Participating Area Health Education Centers will coordinate trainings for medical providers, and offer educational events for community members and students to raise awareness about the opioid epidemic, contribute to prevention efforts, and provide resources for communities.
Currently Participating AHEC Centers
Project Activities
Community Prevention:
In collaboration with local community partners, participating centers will coordinate community engagement and outreach efforts addressing opioid substance abuse, prevention, and available treatments. These events will include qualified guest speakers and presenting, such as addiction specialists, counselors, and community health workers. Each event will provide regional resources for community members. For information about these events, or to request one in your area, please contact your local participating AHEC (see map above), or the NYS AHEC System Statewide Office Opioid Expansion Project Specialist, Erica Shaw.
Student Education:
In collaboration with local educational partners, participating centers will coordinate outreach events addressing opioid use and abuse, prevention, and treatment for current college and high school students. Each event will provide regional resources for students. For information about these events, or to request one in your area, please contact your local participating AHEC (see map above), or the NYS AHEC System Statewide Office Opioid Expansion Project Specialist, Erica Shaw.
Provider Training (*Optional Activity*):
In collaboration with statewide strategic partners, NYS Area Health Education Centers may also coordinate and offer free Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) trainings for medical
For more information regarding Medication Assisted Treatment, please visit:providers. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) defines Medication Assisted Treatment as ” the use of medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide a ‘whole-patient’ approach to the treatment of substance use disorders.” These coordinated trainings will allow providers to receive a federal waiver upon completion to prescribe Buprenorphine as part of MAT treatment for Opioid Use Disorder
For more information about the MAT Waiver, please visist: https://www.samhsa.gov/medication-assisted-treatment/treatment)
For more information about Buprenorphine, please visit: https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/aids/consumers/prevention/buprenorphine/consumer_fact_sheet.htm
Additional Resources
•NYS AHEC OEP 2018-2019 Report
A summary of last project year’s activities and deliverables.
•Opioid Fact Sheet
Facts and information regarding the current national opioid crisis.
•National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
•NYS Helpline: 1-877-8-HOPENY
Offering help and hope 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for alcoholism, drug abuse and problem gambling. All calls are toll-free, anonymous and confidential.
•New York State Department of Health Opioid Overdose Prevention Program Page
This site includes links to the State Sponsored prevention programs, as well as the New York State Provider Locator.
•National Institute on Drug Abuse Opioid Information Page
•HHS National Opioid Crisis Information Page
•Naloxone/Narcan Information Page
Naloxone is a powerful drug with the ability to reverse an opioid overdose. For more information regarding this medication visit: