Physicians Speak | Tiktok’s Dr. EMZ Explores the DopaGE Prevention Portal
Dr. Elizabeth Zona - double board-certified in Anesthesiology and Addiction Medicine, Parent of 2, and leading health educator on Tiktok for GenZ - takes a trip through DopaGE’s Overdose Prevention Portal to examine its utility for young adult audiences.
“Some substances pose more risk than others. Some children have more risk factors for health consequences and addiction than others. Even if students are not personally using, being educated could help save a life. I aim to empower youth to weigh the risks of substance use against the perceived benefits in order to help each other in a moment of crisis.” Dr. Elizabeth Zona
“My passion for educating the next generation is deeply personal. As the youngest of four with an alcoholic parent, it took many childhood years for me to realize that alcohol was the catalyst between two very different versions of my mother, transforming her from my loving parent to a belligerent and emotionally unstable woman.
As a teen, I found an escape from the chaos by partying. Before starting college, a single decision I made saved my life. I was offered OxyContin Pills at a party, but I declined. Returning home during breaks throughout college, many friends that accepted the Pills had become swept up in consequences from substance abuse. Not realizing the bigger picture yet, I left to focus on 12 years of training for medical school and then anesthesiology residency.
While in my career, I received a desperate call saying that one of my closest teenage friends had overdosed. She was abandoned by her friends, who panicked, and was in the ICU. She would not survive. Over the next two weeks, I counseled her twin sister (also a dear friend), while she said goodbye. I promised that I would not let this loss be in vain.
As a survivor of my own teenage experimentation phase, I felt a responsibility to face the impacts that alcohol and substance use has on human lives. Within a year of my friend's passing, I was speaking to local high school students about the risks associated with substance use and addiction.
Substance use disorder is an incredibly powerful force that is most effectively fought before it takes a hold of its victim. Consequences from recreational substance use may prove severe and irreversible, even in the absence of developing an addiction. The response to my non-judgemental, informal approach was overwhelming. The students were listening. There was a massive knowledge gap that left students with little guidance on safety regarding their substance use habits. In an ideal world, experimentation would either be safe or avoided altogether. It is clearly neither.
Some substances pose more risk than others. Some children have more risk factors for health consequences and addiction than others. Even if students are not personally using, being educated could help save a life. I aim to empower youth to weigh the risks of substance use against the perceived benefits in order to help each other in a moment of crisis.
In this quest, I’m always on the lookout for learning content that is confidence-building, engaging, and medically accurate. My personal outreach work has now reached millions on TikTok, involving collaborations with groups like Song For Charlie, Major League Baseball (MLB), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). DopaGE’s approach is the perfect culmination of these educational initiatives, by reaching young people where they are, using methods that speak to them.
“DopaGE empowers students by providing content that is grounded in evidence-based practices, simplifying complex medical concepts without sacrificing accuracy.
This balance is crucial when discussing overdose prevention, a topic demanding precision and accessibility. As a clinician, I appreciate how DopaGE ensures young viewers receive reliable information in a format that is easy to digest and results in actionable confidence.
One of the greatest challenges observed in prevention is instilling healthy habits before substance use becomes a problem. DopaGE’s relatable and engaging content educates young people about the risks of substance use, laying the groundwork for healthier long-term habits. From a clinical perspective, this proactive approach is invaluable. It equips young people in a new way with the indispensable tools to make informed decisions about their health.
As someone who has built a following on TikTok delivering educational content, I understand what makes a video go viral. DopaGE has clearly tapped into the underlying currents of these virality factors. The content is visually engaging, concise, and packed with value - right in line with the material that resonates with Gen-Z on popular platforms, like TikTok or Instagram.
“As a parent, it can be difficult to get kids to engage with educational content provided to them by authority figures, especially on “taboo” topics like substance use. DopaGE tackles these subjects with a mix of humor and relatability, resonating with today’s youth and aligning with what parents demand. Parents of Gen-Z crave educational content that’s informative and is in line with what our kids enjoy watching.
Thinking about how my own children are being educated on “taboo” topics, it’s clear there is growing demand by students for content that speaks to their generation. Whether through gamification or viral-worthy animations, DopaGE is adapting to how Gen-Z wants to learn, and that’s a game-changer.
DopaGE is more than just an educational tool. It’s a forward-thinking approach to preventative education that meets young people where they are. From its clinical accuracy to its engaging delivery, DopaGE is setting a new standard for how we educate the next generation on crucial topics like overdose prevention. As a clinician, parent, and educator on TikTok, I wholeheartedly endorse DopaGE as a resource that not only informs but also captivates and empowers.
This education could have saved my friend’s life.
Honored to serve,
Dr. EMZ