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Operation UNITE (Unlawful Narcotics Investigations, Treatment, and Education)

Multi-county, broad-based prevention initiative focusing on youth education, community coalitions, entry into treatment, and drug investigations

Since 2004, Operation UNITE serves 32 counties in Southeastern Kentucky through a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach to substance misuse.

Major initiatives include:

  • school-based and community prevention education programs
  • county-based coalitions
  • facilitating entry into treatment
  • narcotics investigations

A wide variety of student and youth education programs are offered, many focusing on sports and other recreational activities.

UNITE also initiates and supports a yearly national conference on responses to the opioid crisis (the Rx Summit) which presents research and innovative approaches across the continuum of care.

More information on Operation UNITE can be found in the presentation here. 

Operation UNITE had a significant impact on reducing prescription opioid-related poison center calls. 

Continuum of Care
Prevention
Treatment
Type of Evidence
Implemented
Response Approach
Diversion
Early Intervention
Educational
Peer-reviewed Article
Effectiveness of the Kentucky Operation UNITE (Unlawful Narcotics Investigations, Treatment and Education) as Evaluated by RADARS System Poison Centers
Related Resources
The Opioid Use Disorder Prevention Playbook
Intervention, Treatment, and Prevention Strategies to Address Opioid Use Disorders in Rural Areas: A Primer On Opportunities For Medicaid-Safety Net Collaboration
Opioid Use Disorder: Challenges and Opportunities in Rural Communities
Preventing Opioid Overdoses in Rural America
Building Successful Partnerships between Law Enforcement and Public Health Agencies to Address Opioid Use
Mobilizing Community Partnerships in Rural Communities: Strategies and Techniques
Partnering with Jails to Improve Reentry: A Guidebook for Community-Based Organizations
Awareness, Education, and Collaboration: Promising School-based Opioid Prevention Approaches

Evidence of Program Effectiveness

A 2007 conference paper presented findings that Operation UNITE had “a significant positive impact” on prescription opioid-related poison center (PC) calls. “Since implementation, change in PC abuse rates have significantly decreased within the UNITE region.”

Also, Operation UNITE's initiatives in school-based and community-based prevention as well as community coalition building have shown positive results.