“Be in the Know” campaign raises awareness about the dangers of substance use
June 17, 2024
Olmsted County is proud to announce the launch of the "Be in the Know" campaign, a comprehensive community initiative designed to inform residents about the dangers of substance use. This campaign aims to equip the community with essential knowledge and resources to combat the opioid crisis and other substance use issues in Olmsted County.
“This campaign is a crucial part of our ongoing commitment to the health and well-being of our residents,” said Olmsted County Board of Commissioners Chair Sheila Kiscaden. “By providing accessible resources and fostering open discussions, ‘Be in the Know’ will help us build a stronger, more resilient community.”
The "Be in the Know" campaign includes a robust digital presence. The dedicated website at BeInTheKnowOlmsted.com is a central hub for information and resources, featuring downloadable toolkits. These toolkits are designed to assist individuals and organizations in discussing substance use and addiction, offering practical advice and conversation starters. The community is encouraged to use these resources to help break the stigma and foster open, supportive dialogues.
In addition to the online resources, the campaign features a series of digital advertisements and social media posts aimed at reaching a broad audience. These materials have been strategically developed to ensure they resonate with various demographics, spreading awareness and encouraging proactive conversations about the risks associated with substance use.
A notable highlight of the "Be in the Know" campaign is the collaboration with students from Mayo High School. Their involvement has been instrumental in creating content that is both relatable and impactful for younger audiences. This partnership reflects the campaign's commitment to engaging the community at all levels and underscores the importance of including youth perspectives in addressing substance misuse.
The Drug and Alcohol Response Team (DART), which formed as an extension of the Olmsted County Diversity and Equity Community Outreach (DECO) team, will share the campaign materials at community outreach events throughout the summer. Organizations throughout the county that contributed to providing input on how to best use Olmsted County’s opioid settlement funds will also participate in the community outreach events, further sharing the campaign.
"The launch of the 'Be in the Know' campaign is a significant step in our efforts to combat the opioid crisis and educate our community about the dangers of substance use," said Olmsted County DECO Program Manager Sidney Frye. "We are grateful to the Mayo High School students who provided contributions to this campaign and appreciate the community support on this topic. Together, we can empower residents to ‘Be in the Know’ and make informed decisions about substances."
The “Be in the Know” campaign was created in collaboration with Minnesota advertising firm Russell/Herder and funded with opioid settlement funds allocated to the county. For more information about the campaign, please visit BeInTheKnowOlmsted.com.
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Media contact: Emma Diercks, Communications Specialist, 507-328-6166