Most of the time when people hear talk of prescription drug misuse and abuse, they think of teenagers or young adults. But the WISE program understands that those age groups are not the only ones vulnerable to the dangers of addiction and other detrimental tendancies. The WISE program (Wellness Initiative for Senior Education) is something that Coalition Rx has been working with for a couple years now. It is aimed at addressing the public health issues of opioid and addiction, suicide, and depression, which are all intertwined and prevalent among older adults in the United States. It focuses on promoting safe medication practices, addressing mental illness, and providing education on substance abuse and other topics that tie into healthy lifestyle choices. The program targets seniors who are at high risk of developing substance use disorders and experiencing suicide and depression. Seniors have been among the most affected by the pandemic, being isolated not only from other residents but also from their families and friends for long periods. As we emerge from the pandemic, the effects of that isolation continue to become increasingly apparent.

According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, an estimated 1 million older adults suffer from a substance use disorder, which risk factors include; chronic pain, physical disabilities or reduced mobility, poor physical and mental health status, chronic illness, and taking a significant amount of medication. The Centers for Disease Control also reported that suicide was the tenth leading cause of death in the United States in 2019, with 47,500 suicides that year alone. Older adults are particularly vulnerable to suicide due to mental illness, depression, substance use disorders, chronic pain, physical illness, declining functions, and social isolation.  



The WISE program provides education and support for seniors in managing mental illness, safe medication practices, the different effects of alcohol and medications on aging bodies, and substance abuse, among other topics. The program encourages healthy lifestyle choices that enable seniors to live their lives to the fullest. By addressing the interconnected issues of opioids and addiction, suicide, and mental illness, the WISE program has successfully made an impact on the public health of seniors in the Omaha community, and Coalition Rx aims to continue engaging groups in this program in the months to come.

It’s May and spring is officially here. Flowers are blooming. Kids are playing outside. Birds are chirping. For me, this time of year is often associated with growth, renewal, hope and positivity—a perfect time to kick off Mental Health Awareness Month and a perfect time to focus on our own mental health and wellness.

Self-care is essential for mental health and overall well-being. I am encouraged to see more and more people prioritizing their mental health, just as they would their physical health. We have seen professional athletes, actors and actresses, and other high-profile public figures putting their jobs on hold to put their mental health first. This is such a healthy and important step because by raising awareness and acceptance of mental health, we not only empower ourselves, but we also help remove stigma, enforce the message that it is okay to not be okay and encourage people to seek help when they need it.

When you take care of your mental health, your physical and emotional health improves; you become more resilient; and it makes it easier to find ways to manage life stressors in a healthy and positive way.

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New Staff Highlight!

Coalition Rx is excited to have new office staff members join our team!



Beth Brown

Bookkeeper and

Billing Specialist



Dina Newsom

Administrative Assistant and Media Specialist

Too Good For Drugs and Violence

The school year has come to an end, and all our different partner Too Good For Drugs and Violence programs are wrapping up their sessions.

Our friends at Salvation Army got to enjoy some ice cream with the Omaha Police Department gang unit!

Students at Linden Elementary in Fremont engaged in some puzzle fun as they finished learning about the dangers of Nicotine.

JCAC students closed out the school year learning about peer pressure, bullying, and how to be a kind friend. We hope they continue to be great friends through the summer and next fall!

Check in upcoming newsletters for more information and photos from our summer TGFDAV programs!

Too Good For Drugs and Violence:

Vaping

Vapes (a.k.a. e-cigarettes) are electronic devices which heat a liquid to produce an aerosol that were created as a smoking alternative. However, most vapes still contain nicotine, a highly addictive drug, that can harm the developing adolescent brain affecting attention span, learning capacity, and impulse control. Resisting any peer pressure to vape in teen years can lead to healthier choices in adulthood as well.