SMART News

The Rocky Top Recovery Ambassadors are a group of college students, undergrad and grad, that identify as being in recovery and/or having a mental health disorder. Building an on-campus community of students wanting a safer, sober college experience, the ambassadors hosted weekly all-recovery meetings and mental health events, as well as sober-friendly social events like group yoga, concerts, bounce house obstacle courses and more.

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Most people are now aware of fentanyl testing strips, which were decriminalized last year in Tennessee. But with the rise of xylazine (also known as tranq) as a contaminant in the fentanyl supply, many have been asking whether or not there are comparable testing strips for xylazine and if these would be significantly useful in curbing overdose fatalities.

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In 2020, the TN Together Student Survey found that the average age for first using a substance was 13 to 14 years old. Identifying and intervening at that age is thus crucial. Most of the time, however, the problem isn’t caught until later: usually when the person is college-aged.

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Key Points

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Everyone who’s gone to elementary school in the last 50 years had some sort of “Just Say No” sessions and activities. We’re all familiar with this type of informational prevention. But there is much more to the picture.

SMART has created a fact sheet on Xylazine, highlighting currently known information on this drug, including trends, presentations, treatment and more. Please read and share!

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