Identifying & Managing Illicit Drug Use in Adolescents

Contact Hours: 1.5

Author(s):

Devon Capristo MSN, FNP-C

Course Overview

Illicit drug use and opioid overdose deaths are a public health crisis that is beginning to bleed into the school systems. In 2017, 2.2 million adolescents between the ages of 12-17 stated they were currently using illicit substances (5). Due to this increasing number, it is important for every school nurse to recognize the signs of illicit drug use, understand what steps should be taken in the event of an overdose, how to promote prevention programs for students, and understanding how important feeling connected to staff and peers is to an adolescent.

Course Outline

  1. Introduction
  2. Defining the Issue
  3. Epidemiology
  4. Etiology
  5. Pathophysiology
  6. Signs and Symptoms
  7. Actions To Take for a Student Overdose
  8. Intervention Strategies
  9. Future of Naloxone in Schools
  10. Prevention Programs
  11. Educational Resources
  12. Fostering Connectedness in School
  13. Conclusion

Course Outcomes

After completing this course, the learner will rate 4 out of 5 on the Likert Scale for their ability to:

  1. Understand what a substance abuse high and overdose look like.
  2. List the steps to take if a student is experiencing an overdose.
  3. Identify factors that can lead to a student abusing substances.
  4. Recall the National Association of School Nurse’s policy on the use of Narcan in schools.
  5. Learn about different methods available to students to create positive outlooks for their future.

Accreditations and Approvals

CE Credit Logo
  • American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) (P0614)
  • California Board of Registered Nursing (CEP 17418)
  • Kentucky Board of Nursing (7-0090)
  • Louisiana State Board of Nursing (58)
  • Florida Board of Nursing (50-23983)
  • Delaware Board of Nursing (DE-24-010127)
  • Alabama Board of Nursing (#ABNP1577)
  • Iowa Board of Nursing (#393)
  • Kansas Board of Nursing (LT0340-0325)

Approved by the Board of Nursing in every state, you can complete your RN, LVN, and APRN CEUs with confidence.

Accreditation Statement

Nursing CE Central LLC is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

It will take the average learner 90 minutes to complete and awards 1.5 contact hours of continuing education.

Written For

  • Registered Nurses (RN)
  • Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN)
  • Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN/LVN)

Requirements for Completion

  1. Enrollment in the course by the learner
  2. Read and learn all course materials
  3. Complete the course evaluation
  4. Attest and testify learning of the course materials

Disclosure of Relevant Financial Relationships

Nursing CE Central nor any of the authors, planners, content experts, or any contributors have any relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.