Making Positive Change During America’s Heroin Epidemic

Since the beginning of the opioid epidemic, Cabell County, West Virginia has regularly been a hot spot for illicit substance use. In 2016, Cabell County saw nearly 1,500 overdoses, with nearly 10 percent of those proving fatal. In response, the Cabell County Fire Department has partnered with several community organizations to combat the high substance use rates in their community.

In this webinar, Chief Jan Rader (retired) of the Huntington Fire Department will describe efforts to respond to substance use in their community, including their Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion and Quick Response Team deflection programs, as well as other collaborative initiatives between public health and safety.