Youth Opioid Intervention Program

Why there’s a need

Opioids are a class of drugs used to reduce pain. Opioids include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain medications available legally by prescription. Prescription opioids are generally safe when taken for a short time and as directed by a doctor, but because they produce euphoria in addition to pain relief, they can be misused and have addiction potential.

Overdoses are the leading injury-related cause of death in the United States and accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic. To combat this significant problem, Quest has started the Youth Opioid Intervention Program (YOIP) which addresses opioid misuse and overdose in teens, adolescents, and young adults (ages 16-24).

“One overdose is one too many. Begin your Quest for recovery now.” - Jolene Dalluhn, Quest Executive Director

Program Goals & Services

The focus of the YOIP is to address the serious issue of opioid misuse among youth and young adults (ages 16 - 24). This program provides immediate care and resources to those who have been seen at local area hospitals due to opioid misuse or overdose. We aim to reduce the number of overdoses, chronic relapse, and insufficient recovery support. YOIP strives to prevent future substance-related emergency room visits by connecting patients to treatment.

YOIP Services

  • Provide immediate resources and care for opioid related overdose and misuse for ages 16-24

  • Assessment and screening

  • Hospital based support

  • Narcan training and distribution

  • Psychoeducation to clients and family members

  • Post discharge planning, support, and referral to treatment

  • Facilitate connections to various wrap-around services

  • Peer Services

  • Harm reduction

  • Medication Assisted Treatment

The YOIP has the following goals:

  1. Provide immediate care and resources to youth ages 16-24 after admittance to a local area hospital due to opioid misuse or overdose.

  2. Increase the number of Transitional Age Youth (TAY) clients seeking treatment and MAT (Medication Assisted Treatment)/ MOUD (Medication for Opioid Use Disorder) at Quest.

  3. Identify and serve Juvenile Justice involved youth using opioids/ amphetamines with an expedited treatment referral within 24 hours.

  4. Expand education and distribution of Narcan to clients, families, and medical offices that do not currently make them available.

YOIP Harm Reduction Initiative

Community education and Narcan distribution are essential for preventing overdose and overdose related deaths. Quest will increase Narcan education and distribution in the community and to clients and their families. Our team will increase access to Narcan at pediatric, OBGYN, and local primary care clinics. We know that Narcan saves lives, and Quest is proud to be a FREE Narcan Distribution Site. Anyone can come and pick up Narcan from the Quest office during regular business hours.

Medication Assisted Treatment - MAT

Medication Assisted Treatment is the use of medications in combination with counseling and other behavioral therapies for the treatment of Opioid Use Disorder. The FDA has approved three medications for treating opioid use disorders: methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. 

Here at Quest, we use multiple formulations of buprenorphine to help diminish the effects of physical dependency to opioids, such as withdrawal symptoms and cravings. It is a regulated way to mitigate substance use. Buprenorphine is an opioid partial agonist and has been proven to cause less respiratory depression, lower overdose potential, and a lower dependency rate than methadone, making it easier to titrate off when the patient is ready. 

Patients who are interested in Medication Assisted Treatment will attend an initial assessment with one of our psychiatric providers to create an individualized treatment plan based on the patient’s needs. At that assessment the different formulations of buprenorphine (buprenorphine films, oral pills, or subcutaneous injection) or naltrexone will be discussed and a personalized recommendation for treatment will be provided. 

We look forward to being a supportive part of this sobriety journey and welcome your calls with any inquiries about this program.

Nevada Opioid Facts & Statistics

 ** This publication was supported by the Nevada State Department of Health and Human Services, Fund for a Resilient Nevada