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Texas A&Ms TOPS presents free youth opioid-prevention curriculum to Laredo coalition
Summary
TOPS (Texas Opioid Prevention for Students), a Texas A&M Area 3 initiative, gave a detailed presentation of its free ThinkSmart curriculum, graphic novel and youth app and said elementary materials are in development to meet Tucker's Law; TOPS offered trainings and community-conversation formats to local partners.
Texas A&M Area 3s TOPS program introduced its youth opioid-prevention offerings to the Laredo Drug and Alcohol Coalition, describing free trainings and materials for schools, parents and community partners across its 27-county region. A TOPS representative explained the program aims to provide K12 prevention education, fentanyl awareness and suicide-prevention resources aligned with state requirements.
TOPS materials include a six-lesson ThinkSmart curriculum for middle and high school students, a free graphic novel with a companion guide, a gaming app for youth education and facilitated "community conversation" sessions that produce a written report of local findings. The presenter said the curriculum was designed to meet Tucker's Law (the state requirement cited by TOPS) and that elementary (K6) materials are under development as part of the grant; TOPS staff said they expect a pilot of elementary lessons by the end of the year.
Karen Bridal Bowman, introduced in the presentation as the community health organizer, described the ThinkSmart lessons (decision-making, harm-reduction, refusal skills, goal-setting and suicide-prevention) and emphasized training local staff to deliver the curriculum rather than having TOPS teach directly. Bowman said the program provides technical assistance, supplies and a resource guide to connect schools with local service providers.
During Q&A, Robert Kennedy, who identified himself as affiliated with the Drug Enforcement Administration, asked specifically about resources for elementary students; TOPS staff acknowledged the current materials are for middle and high school but confirmed elementary content is included in the grant and under development. TOPS offered to schedule trainings, parent sessions and community conversations with local partners and provided contact information for follow-up.
Coalition members thanked TOPS for the presentation and noted local groups (including WestCare) already offer some elementary-level programming; members agreed to coordinate TOPS trainings with partner organizations and to consider TOPS resources when submitting formal agenda items to city council or school districts.
