YSS Targets Iowa Opioid Crisis with New Prevention Toolkit

The initiative, funded by state opioid settlement dollars, aims to bridge the gap between typical adolescent behavior and critical red flags. YSS is distributing customizable resources—including educational materials, social media assets, and recovery information—to local leaders and families across the state. This effort builds on the success of the organization's 2025 pilot program, "Hidden in Plain Sight," a mobile exhibit that recreates a teenager's bedroom to help adults spot signs of drug or alcohol abuse.

Andrew Allen, President and CEO of YSS, notes that while recent data shows a decline in overdose deaths, the epidemic remains a pressing public health challenge. The campaign focuses on three core pillars: education, early intervention for at-risk individuals, and the reduction of social stigma surrounding addiction. Communities and organizations can now access these tools online or request the mobile exhibit for local events to continue the momentum in prevention efforts.