In our last episode, we heard from Andi and Tanner Clements from Uplift Appalachia. They shared that churches and communities want to help with recovery, but most don’t feel equipped to take on the challenge. There’s also the persistent fear that they might get things wrong.
It is increasingly well understood that the criminal justice system is one of the most significant and valuable intervention points for getting people into recovery. When people are given access to the services they need to enter and maintain recovery, the success stories are common.
West Virginia has been often described as ground zero of the opioid epidemic, largely because of Purdue Pharma's explicit targeting of the state for its aggressive marketing of OxyContin.
When it comes to any large government program targeting health, social and cultural issues, there are always concerns that the money won’t be spent well. The opioid settlements are no exception.
So when a program involves multiple community partners, a transparent and collaborative decision-making process, and is based on the local data, the rate of success tends to be high.
If you’ve ever worked in the field of recovery in East Tennessee, there’s a strong chance you’ve met Trent Coffey, executive director of the Schools Together Allowing No Drugs, or STAND, Coalition in Scott County, Tenn.
Small business owners, industry leaders, law enforcement officers, teachers and even other elected offices like city councilpersons—these are some of the most common professions that people have before becoming a county mayor in Tennessee. But it may surprise you that a fair number of our county executives were EMTs, paramedics or first responders before seeking public office.
The group of people dying of overdoses at the highest rate, by far, are men in their 30s–50s. This group is also statistically less likely than others to ask for help. This is one of the biggest reasons why it can be difficult to implement effective prevention strategies targeting working-age men.
