Impact of Student Pharmacist-Led Educational Intervention on Opioid Overdose Knowledge and Attitudes Among Youth Educators
Advisor(s)
Dr. David Nau, Dr. Michelle Musser, Dr. Emily Eddy
Confirmation
1
Document Type
Poster
Location
ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room
Start Date
24-4-2026 10:00 AM
End Date
24-4-2026 10:50 AM
Abstract
Background: The opioid epidemic continues to severely impact communities across the United States, with rural counties facing greater challenges due to limited treatment access, barriers to care, and stigma surrounding substance use and mental health. Between 2020 and 2023, Hardin County had an age-adjusted overdose death rate of 45.0 per 100,000, exceeding the Ohio average of 43.5, with 46 unintentional deaths reported. Despite this, only 438 naloxone boxes were distributed to Hardin County in 2024, indicating gaps in overdose preparedness. Additionally, 4% of Hardin County youth reported lifetime misuse of prescription pain medications, and 36% of high school students reported ≥2 weeks of sadness impacting their usual activities.
Methodology: Student pharmacists led a single-session training on opioid overdose response and naloxone administration for high school educators. A 10-minute pre-survey utilizing modified versions of the validated self-assessment Opioid Overdose Knowledge Scale (OOKS) and Opioid Overdose Attitudes Scale (OOAS) assessed participants’ baseline knowledge and attitudes, which was followed by a 40-minute educational presentation with hands-on naloxone training, and concluded with a 10-minute post-training survey. Student pharmacists educated 12 high school teachers, of whom 8 completed the pre-survey, and 7 completed the post-survey.
Results: Youth educators achieved significantly higher post-intervention OOKS scores (mean difference 5.75, p=0.014) and OOAS scores (median difference 13, p=0.031). Eight naloxone boxes and one NaloxBox were distributed among the participants.
Conclusion: Student pharmacist-led interactive training can improve knowledge and attitudes of opioid overdose response and naloxone administration among high school teachers.
Recommended Citation
Hissong, Brenna; Dains, Connor; and Dials, Layla, "Impact of Student Pharmacist-Led Educational Intervention on Opioid Overdose Knowledge and Attitudes Among Youth Educators" (2026). ONU Student Research Colloquium. 21.
https://digitalcommons.onu.edu/student_research_colloquium/2026/Posters/21
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Impact of Student Pharmacist-Led Educational Intervention on Opioid Overdose Knowledge and Attitudes Among Youth Educators
ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room
Background: The opioid epidemic continues to severely impact communities across the United States, with rural counties facing greater challenges due to limited treatment access, barriers to care, and stigma surrounding substance use and mental health. Between 2020 and 2023, Hardin County had an age-adjusted overdose death rate of 45.0 per 100,000, exceeding the Ohio average of 43.5, with 46 unintentional deaths reported. Despite this, only 438 naloxone boxes were distributed to Hardin County in 2024, indicating gaps in overdose preparedness. Additionally, 4% of Hardin County youth reported lifetime misuse of prescription pain medications, and 36% of high school students reported ≥2 weeks of sadness impacting their usual activities.
Methodology: Student pharmacists led a single-session training on opioid overdose response and naloxone administration for high school educators. A 10-minute pre-survey utilizing modified versions of the validated self-assessment Opioid Overdose Knowledge Scale (OOKS) and Opioid Overdose Attitudes Scale (OOAS) assessed participants’ baseline knowledge and attitudes, which was followed by a 40-minute educational presentation with hands-on naloxone training, and concluded with a 10-minute post-training survey. Student pharmacists educated 12 high school teachers, of whom 8 completed the pre-survey, and 7 completed the post-survey.
Results: Youth educators achieved significantly higher post-intervention OOKS scores (mean difference 5.75, p=0.014) and OOAS scores (median difference 13, p=0.031). Eight naloxone boxes and one NaloxBox were distributed among the participants.
Conclusion: Student pharmacist-led interactive training can improve knowledge and attitudes of opioid overdose response and naloxone administration among high school teachers.