PROJECT RENEW

5.7% of citizens in southern West Virginia

report nonmedical use of pain relievers

33.5 drug overdose deaths per 100,000 West

Virginians, the highest rate in the country

71.6% of nonmedical pain reliever users got the

medication from a friend or relative, illegally

Community Connections was awarded a one-year grant project through the Rural Opioid Overdose Reversal initiative, US Department of Health and Human Services. Given the project name, “Project Renew,” the initiative worked within McDowell, Mercer, and Wyoming counties to: 1.  Provide education to the general

population via each community’s d e s i g n a t e d s u b s t a n c e a b u s e prevention coalition

2.  Serving as a WV Certified Trainer, provide training to emergency personnel in the science of addiction, opioid overdose reversal , and community resources.

3.  Provide 110 opioid overdose reversal kits, each including two doses of nasal narcan, a CPR mouth barrier, sterile gloves, a reporting postcard, and information regarding treatment.

To-date, the project is directly responsible for TEN LIVES SAVED with use of narcan.

! 7 !

Community Connections held an e v e n t t o c o m m e m o r a t e I n t e r n a t i o n a l O v e r d o s e Awareness Day on August 31. Partnering with law enforcement, faith-based leaders, those in recovery, and others – we released 35 black balloons to represent the WV overdose death rate, silver balloons in memory and honor of those suffering with addiction, and one large white balloon for hope!