How Kanawha Charleston Health Department is Combatting the Opioid Epidemic

How Kanawha Charleston Health Department is Combatting the Opioid Epidemic

The opioid epidemic is a national crisis, and West Virginia has been hit particularly hard. The Kanawha Charleston Health Department is taking a proactive approach to combat this epidemic, implementing several initiatives that are yielding positive results.

Background

West Virginia has the highest rate of opioid overdose deaths in the United States, with 49.6 deaths per 100,000 people in 2019. Kanawha County, where the Kanawha Charleston Health Department is located, has been especially impacted – in 2018, it had the highest number of opioid overdose deaths in the state. However, the Kanawha Charleston Health Department is taking steps to address this crisis.

Initiatives

One of the key initiatives implemented by the Kanawha Charleston Health Department is the “Quick Response Team” (QRT). The QRT is made up of a paramedic, a police officer, and a peer recovery coach. Whenever there is an overdose in the community, the QRT visits the individual who suffered from the overdose to provide resources and support for recovery. This proactive approach has led to a 35% reduction in overdose deaths in Kanawha County.

Another initiative implemented is the “Harm Reduction Program.” This program provides clean injection equipment, overdose prevention education, testing for hepatitis and HIV, and referrals for drug treatment. The program also offers the overdose-reversing drug, Narcan, to those in need. The program has been shown to reduce the transmission of infectious diseases and improve access to healthcare for individuals suffering from addiction.

Success Stories

There are several success stories resulting from the initiatives implemented by the Kanawha Charleston Health Department. One example is a woman who was once a heroin user but is now clean and sober thanks to the QRT. The QRT provided her with resources and support, and she is now employed and a productive member of society. Another success story is a man who attributes his recovery to the Harm Reduction Program. The program provided him with clean needles, education, and access to treatment, which ultimately led to his recovery.

Conclusion

The initiatives implemented by the Kanawha Charleston Health Department are providing hope in the fight against the opioid epidemic. The Quick Response Team and Harm Reduction Program are proactive approaches that are making a positive impact in the community. It is crucial that more initiatives like these are implemented throughout the country to combat the opioid epidemic and save lives.