About

The Southern West Virginia Rural Opioid Planning Consortium focuses on prevention for all populations, as well as treatment and recovery for target populations at highest risk, but with the greatest potential to change current and future generations in WV, including emerging adults (18 to 25 years), adults (26 years and older), and women of childbearing age (including pregnant and parenting women).

The catchment area for the planning initiative is 5 of 55 (9%) counties in southern WV–those hardest hit by the opioid epidemic in the only state located entirely in Appalachia. Rural counties comprising the Consortium will include Logan, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, and Wyoming having a combined population of 156,481 (8.6%) of the state population.

The overall goal of the Southern West Virginia Rural Opioid Planning Consortium is to undertake collective strategic planning that will enhance the availability of and access to treatment and recovery services for prescription and opioid OUD and implement evidence-based prevention strategies in southern West Virginia which has been the hardest hit by the opioid epidemic.

The Southern WV Opioid Response Planning Consortium, in partnership with technical support from Marshall Health, is committed to leading the development of an innovative, systems-level solution to restore health and economic vitality – and a sense of hope – in WV.