An Executive Summary Highlighting a Doctor of Nursing Practice Project - "Empowering Families Through Online Access: A Digital Toolkit for Adolescent Substance Use Support"

Abstract

Adolescent substance use disorder (SUD) is a critical public health concern, often resulting in long-term cognitive, emotional, and social consequences. Families navigating adolescent SUD face significant barriers, including limited access to comprehensive, accessible, and stigma-free resources. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project aimed to address this gap by designing and implementing a community-specific, evidence-informed website toolkit for families in Carteret County, North Carolina. Guided by the PRECEDE-PROCEED model and King’s Theory of Goal Attainment, the project engaged interdisciplinary partners to develop a digital platform offering crisis intervention contacts, legal and therapeutic support links, educational materials, and peer-guided strategies. Outcome measures included quantitative engagement tracked via Google Analytics and qualitative feedback collected through online surveys. Although engagement rates partially met initial targets, analytics revealed sustained user interest, high interaction with critical resource pages, and positive qualitative feedback. Identified barriers included limited survey participation and initial site visibility, informing future enhancements. This project demonstrates how nurse-led digital interventions can bridge service gaps, align with national health objectives, and offer scalable models adaptable to other rural and underserved communities. By leveraging technology and interdisciplinary collaboration, the resource toolkit empowered families with accessible tools to support adolescent recovery and familial resilience.