Episode 94: Opioids & Our Community: What Prevention Looks Like At Home

In this episode of the Just Say Something Podcast, Phil Clark addresses the ongoing opioid crisis and what meaningful prevention looks like inside our homes and communities. He explains how fentanyl continues to drive overdose deaths across South Carolina, often through counterfeit pills that look like legitimate prescription medications and are frequently sold through social media platforms teens use every day.

Phil walks parents and caregivers through practical, effective prevention steps, including safe storage and disposal of medications, recognizing misinformation, and having calm, honest conversations with kids that focus on facts rather than fear. He emphasizes that many young people are not seeking dangerous substances but are unknowingly exposed through pills they believe are safe.

The episode also highlights the importance of community partnerships such as The Power Collective and Compass of Carolina, which provide coordinated prevention education, mental health support, and resources for families. Phil reminds listeners that prevention works best when it is rooted in connection, knowledge, and shared responsibility, and that families are not facing this challenge alone.