Research points toward new approach to opioid misuse prevention in youth
- New initiatives to prevent opioid misuse in youth groups focus on peer influence to create long-term behavior change. READ ARTICLE
News & Events
News & Events
Explore upcoming and past TOPS events including Fentanyl 101 sessions, Community Conversations, and youth prevention programs across Texas.
News
Texas A&M Stories
Local Stories. Statewide Impact.
Explore the latest news and research on opioid and fentanyl prevention, including evidence-based strategies, community initiatives, and innovative approaches helping protect Texas youth.
TOPS Reach Across Texas
Our prevention education and community programs continue to expand across the state, reaching students and families in communities that need support.
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—Total Events— total events hosted across Texas
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—Awareness Education Events— awareness education events
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—Community Conversations— community conversations
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–THRIVE Trainings– THRIVE trainings
Awareness Education Events
Fentanyl 101 and Youth Fentanyl 101 sessions held across Texas communities.
Fentanyl 101: An educational program focused on illicit fentanyl awareness.
Youth Fentanyl 101: An engaging youth educational program promoting awareness and prevention.
Community Conversations: Facilitated discussions that build awareness and strengthen community responses to substance use.
| Topic | Date | Time | Details | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community Conversation | July 27, 2026 | 5:30 PM | Brenham Pregnancy Center | 1016 E Blue Bell Rd, Brenham, TX 77833 |
| Community Conversation | July 29, 2026 | 10:00 AM | Chamizal Community Center with City of El Paso Parks and Recreation | 2119 Cypress Ave, El Paso, TX 79905 |
| Community Conversation | August 7, 2026 | 1:30 PM | Education Service Center 1 in Laredo | 4818 Thomas Ave, Laredo, TX 78041 |
| Community Conversation | August 10, 2026 | 2:00 PM | Municipal County Building | 101 NW Ave A, Andrews, TX 79714 |
| Community Conversation | August 20, 2026 | 10:00 AM | Hill County CASA | TBD |
| Fentanyl 101 | July 16, 2026 | 11:00 AM | Northeast Texas CHW Coalition Annual Meeting | 101 Glenda St., Whitehouse, TX 75791 |
| Fentanyl 101 | July 20, 2026 | 5:30 PM | Brenham Pregnancy Center | 1016 E Blue Bell Rd, Brenham, TX 77833 |
| Fentanyl 101 | July 28, 2026 | 1:00 PM | ESC 1 School Safety Conference | 1900 W Schunior St., Edinburg, TX 78541 |
| Fentanyl 101 | July 28, 2026 | 2:40 PM | ESC 1 School Safety Conference | 1900 W Schunior St., Edinburg, TX 78541 |
| Fentanyl 101 | July 29, 2026 | 10:00 AM | Chamizal Community Center with City of El Paso Parks and Recreation | 2119 Cypress Ave, El Paso, TX 79905 |
| Fentanyl 101 | July 30, 2026 | 12:00 PM | UTMB at The Strand | 1215 The Strand, Galveston, TX 77550 |
| Fentanyl 101 | August 6, 2026 | 10:00 AM | Binational Health Council | Paso del Norte Health Foundation, Conference Room 221, North Kansas, Suite 1900, El Paso, TX 79901 |
| Fentanyl 101 | August 8, 2026 | TBD | Aubrey ISD Community Resource Fair at Owens Middle School | 415 Tisdell Ln, Aubrey, TX 76227 |
| Fentanyl 101 | August 8, 2026 | TBD | Aubrey ISD Community Resource Fair at Owens Middle School | 415 Tisdell Ln, Aubrey, TX 76227 |
| Fentanyl 101 | August 10, 2026 | 2:00 PM | Municipal County Building | 101 NW Ave A, Andrews, TX 79714 |
| Fentanyl 101 | August 20, 2026 | 10:00 AM | Hill County CASA | TBD |
| Youth Fentanyl 101 | August 22, 2026 | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Fentanyl 101 | September 1, 2026 | 6:00 PM | Big Brothers Big Sisters Midland | TBD |
| Fentanyl 101 | September 9, 2026 | 10:00 AM | National Baptist Convention Area Nurses Meeting | TBD |
| Fentanyl 101 | September 15, 2026 | TBD | Cameron County Juvenile Program | San Benito location address pending |
| Fentanyl 101 | September 15, 2026 | TBD | Faith, Family & Hope Summit at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church | 1001 Woodcreek Dr., College Station, TX |
| Fentanyl 101 | September 17, 2026 | TBD | Cameron County Juvenile Program | San Benito location address pending |
| Fentanyl 101 | September 21, 2026 | 9:30 AM | Unbound Now BCS | 1722 Broadmoor Dr., Suite 105, Bryan, TX 77802 |
| Fentanyl 101 | September 22, 2026 | TBD | ESC 18 Power Up Symposium | TBD |
| Fentanyl 101 | September 22, 2026 | TBD | ESC 18 Power Up Symposium | TBD |
| Fentanyl 101 | October 2, 2026 | TBD | Limestone/Freestone CRCG | TBD |
| Fentanyl 101 | October 13, 2026 | 10:00 AM | Exact date to be determined with Leon County CRCG | Location to be announced, Centerville, TX |
THRIVE Trainings
Upcoming THRIVE facilitator and train-the-trainer sessions across Texas.
THRIVE is an evidence-informed substance misuse prevention education curriculum that complies with state and national standards.
Think Critically.
Honor Healthy Choices.
Reach for Goals.
Identify Influences.
Voice Your Needs.
Empower Yourself & Others.
Think Critically.
Honor Healthy Choices.
Reach for Goals.
Identify Influences.
Voice Your Needs.
Empower Yourself & Others.
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9:00 AM–12:00 PM
THRIVE Facilitator Training
ESC 4 · RHP 3
7145 W Tidwell Rd, Houston, TX 77092 -
10:00 AM–2:00 PM
THRIVE Facilitator Training
Communities in Schools of the Permian Basin · RHP 14
Address pending -
9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Pending confirmationTHRIVE Facilitator Training
Manor ISD · RHP 7
Address pending -
Date pending
THRIVE Facilitator Training
RHP 20
Waiting for PD Day confirmation -
9:00 AM–12:00 PM
THRIVE Facilitator Training
Grandfalls ISD · RHP 14
Address pending -
Date pending
THRIVE Facilitator Training
Mason ISD · RHP 13
Address pending
1:00 PM–4:00 PM
THRIVE Facilitator Training
Behavioral Health Solutions · RHP 5
Address pendingTOPS ECHO Trainings
Upcoming School Personnel and Clinical ECHO sessions across Texas.
TOPS School Personnel ECHO: Virtual training designed to provide school staff with education on youth substance use prevention, illicit fentanyl awareness, and school response strategies.
TOPS Clinical ECHO: Virtual training designed to strengthen clinical care provider capacity through expert-led, interactive education and case consultation.
TOPS Clinical ECHO: Virtual training designed to strengthen clinical care provider capacity through expert-led, interactive education and case consultation.
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8:30 AM
TOPS ECHO Session 1
Illicit Fentanyl and Other Threats
Virtual Training Register Here -
11:00 AM
TOPS ECHO Session 1
Illicit Fentanyl and Other Threats
Virtual Training Register Here -
8:30 AM
TOPS ECHO Session 2
Opioid Overdose Recognition and Response
Virtual Training Register Here -
11:00 AM
TOPS ECHO Session 2
Opioid Overdose Recognition and Response
Virtual Training Register Here -
8:30 AM
TOPS ECHO Session 3
Community Resources and TOPS Response
Virtual Training Register Here -
11:00 AM
TOPS ECHO Session 3
Community Resources and TOPS Response
Virtual Training Register Here
Community Youth Sports Events
Upcoming youth sports events across Texas.
Community Youth Sports Events: Combine athletic skill development with evidence-based substance use prevention, social-emotional learning, and mentorship to help youth build healthy, drug-free futures.
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9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Ballplayer University
32206 Tamina Road, Magnolia, TX
Registration Pending