Lexington mayor announces launch of opioid education app

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – The mayor’s office says it is partnering with an organization focused on reducing opioid addiction to launch an app-based opioid education and prevention campaign for teenagers.

Mayor Linda Gorton says the collaboration will be with the Preventum Initiative and together they will implement “Full Energy, No Drugs,” or FEND.

Gorton says FEND will engage youth in Fayette County by rewarding them for learning and taking action against opioids and other drugs.

“Teaching young people about the dangers of addiction, opioids, and prescription drugs better equips them to handle situations, helps arm them with useful tools, and hopefully, deters them from the use of illicit or non-prescribed drug,” Gorton says.

The mayor says FEND launches this month and the program will include a competition between Lexington high schools designed to empower youth to take the messages of FEND into their local communities.

In addition, Gorton says the FEND app, which will be freely available in the Apple and Google Play stores, will reward youth with gift vouchers, street-wear, concert tickets, althetic events and more for using the app.

For more information on FEND and how to support the program, contact jacquii@wearepreventum.org or 828-242-8893.