August 23—The West Virginia Drug Intervention Institute, Inc. (WV DII) has announced a mini-grant opportunity for West Virginia college students in collaboration with the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC). The WV DII SmartRxU© mini-grant opportunity for students at WV colleges and universities will provide student organizations supporting medication safety on campus with $250-500 awards for the academic year 2021-2022 .
“Not only has our state experienced over a 50% increase in drug overdoses in 2020, nationwide 16% of college students have reported misusing prescription stimulants,” explained WV DII President, Dr. Susan Bissett. “This mini-grant opportunity is designed to educate and build awareness around college student prescription misuse and to prevent overdoses.”
SmartRx University© is a program designed by the WV DII designed to equip college students with knowledge and awareness around medication safety and responsibility. The mini-grant opportunity is funded in part by the Maier Foundation and is designed to help college students share the medication safety program and potential reduce overdoses on their campuses through a Train the Trainer Program. Students that complete the Trainer Program will be able to present SmartRxU on their campus and earn up to $500 for their organization.
“We are pleased to partner with WVDII on this opportunity for student organizations,” said Carolyn Canini, Director of Behavioral Health Programs for the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission. “We know students have an integral role in the health and wellbeing of their peers and that arming students with the tools to share information on medication safety has the potential to help prevent misuse and save lives.”
The mini-grant opportunity is open to any college and university student organization on a public or private, two or four-year campus in West Virginia. All applications must be submitted by October 11, 2021. Mini-grant program participation commitment is October 2021 to May 2022. To apply or for more information call: (681) 205-2287 or visit us at: www.wvdii.org/college.