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Michigan OPEN
Michigan OPEN
Programs

Youth Board

OPEN works with passionate, diverse youth throughout Michigan (high school age or older) to develop resources for teens and adolescents regarding opioid use, pain management, and substance use disorder. 

Who We Are: The Overdose Prevention Engagement Network (OPEN) was launched at the University of Michigan in 2016. Our mission includes engaging with individuals, communities, and organizations to share education and resources and strengthen person-centered prevention, treatment, and recovery.

OPEN focuses on the prevention of opioid dependence, misuse and overdose in pediatric and adolescent populations by intervening at the point where many are first introduced to them—when acute pain is treated following surgery. We work to reduce post-surgical opioid use disorder through innovative preventive strategies promoting safe prescribing, alternatives to opioids, and storage and disposal of prescriptions.

Youth Board Goals:

  • Develop educational materials tailored to youth, such as brochures, posters, and videos, about opioid prevention, treatment, and recovery.
  • Build partnerships with other youth organizations, schools, and healthcare providers to create a comprehensive community approach to addressing the opioid crisis.
  • Ensure that the perspectives and voices of youth are included in discussions and decision-making processes related to opioid misuse prevention and treatment.
  • Foster a supportive and inclusive environment where all members feel valued, respected, and connected.

Youth Board Outcomes – 2024: 

  • OPEN Teen page, which was developed to create a resource to answer the questions that they and people around them had about opioids, pain management, and the opioid overdose crisis. 
  • OPEN Teen Social Media Campaign 
    • Garnered over 685,000 impressions and over 11,500 website visits

A blue background with a photo of a young, black male teen with the statement "confused about opioids," a giant illustrated question mark, and another statement that reads " It's in your power to know" followed by three brain emojis.

 

Youth Board Outcomes – 2025:

Design Subcommittee

  • Designed a diversified format of social media posts targeted at increasing engagement with youth ages 14-25 with OPEN

A blue background with an example of one of their social media designs. All images are orange and yellow with blue lettering. The first post says "Opioid Myths versus Facts." The second post reads "Myth: Prescription opioids are considered to be less addictive than illegal, store-bought, or otherwise unconventionally obtained painkillers." The third image reads "Fact: Prescribed opioids are just as powerful when it comes to potential misuse and overdose when used healthy."

Data Subcommittee

  • Analyzed data compiling variables across youth population counts, overdose deaths, ER visits, and other non-age-specific indicators

A blue background with screenshots that show examples of data the Youth Board collected over 2025 that includes data on county specific opioid overdose deaths and a map of Michigan that highlights counties where prevention is a concern.

Outreach Subcommittee

  • Developed an inviting, interactive booklet aimed at sharing information about opioid use and misuse with high school aged youth using different artistic forms and themes

A blue background with examples of worksheets they would hand out to surrounding youths. One handout is an opioid mindmap where users can writes their thoughts about opioids. The second handout includes speech bubbles with different myths and facts that a user has to guess.

Advocacy Subcommittee

  • Established the Prescription Pledge: a statewide initiative encouraging providers to take practical, youth-informed steps toward safer opioid prescribing

A blue background and screenshots of early versions of the Youth Board's prescription pledge and social media campaign plan.

A graphic that shows a group of teenagers.