Drug Court giving back
In November, the number of community service hours from Drug Court participants almost doubled, according to Operation UNITE’s monthly update on efforts to combat substance abuse in its 32-county service area. “Drug courts are an important part of anti-drug efforts,” UNITE President/CEO Nancy Hale said. “They help participants obtain treatment while encouraging them to pursue job and...
Read MoreFatal Vision Marijuana training held
LONDON – Recreational marijuana use has been shown to impair cognitive functions on a number of levels – from basic motor coordination to more complex executive function tasks, such as the ability to plan, organize, solve problems, make decisions, remember, and control emotions and behavior. Approximately 80 members of the UNITE Service Corps (AmeriCorps), Kentucky National Guard, West...
Read MoreThree states, one goal
HUNTINGTON, WV – Attorneys general from three states led a conference of pastors, health care professionals, law enforcement officers and advocates to energize efforts within their states to combat drug addiction. Operation UNITE President/CEO Nancy Hale participated on a panel focusing on treatment and recovery as part of the gathering, held October 27, 2016, at the New Life Church in...
Read MoreMany ways to help fight epidemic
Each month, Operation UNITE provides an update on its efforts to combat substance abuse in its 32-county service area. “It’s especially important during National Medicine Abuse Awareness Month that we remind people of all the ways they can find help and all the ways they can provide help to fight this epidemic,” UNITE President/CEO Nancy Hale said. “From identifying drug treatment options...
Read MoreHacking to find solutions
The first Appalachian Health Hack-a-thon kicked off Thursday evening at the Center for Rural Development in Somerset with featured national health experts Dr. Doug Lowy, acting director of the National Cancer Institute, and Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse. “Part of what you will be doing in the next few days is developing innovative solutions,” Lowy...
Read MoreVolunteers are making a difference
Each month, Operation UNITE provides an update on its efforts to combat substance abuse in its 32-county service area. “Together with community volunteers and leaders, Operation UNITE is making strides to make sure we help our families and youth overcome the drug epidemic and prevent people from trying drugs at all,” UNITE President/CEO Nancy Hale said. “UNITE volunteers had a strong...
Read MoreFDA commissioner holds listening session
PIKEVILLE – Dr. Robert Califf, commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), heard concerns and comments about the growing prescription opioid epidemic during a visit to southeastern Kentucky August 18, 2016. “It’s obvious that this is a crushing epidemic … and you are in the epicenter,” Califf said during a stop at Pikeville Medical center as part of...
Read MoreService Corps increases math scores
Through Operation UNITE’s “Too Good for Drugs” program, test scores increased 43 percent for drug prevention knowledge and 30 percent in math for students in third through fifth grades. The curricula served 1,573 students in 42 schools within 13 school districts this past year through the UNITE Service Corps (AmeriCorps) initiative. “One of the strongest drug prevention tools we have is...
Read MoreUsing social media to fight opioid crisis
Operation UNITE is one of five organizations selected to participate in a pilot social media training program to help community-based organizations in Appalachia more effectively use social media to combat the misuse and abuse of prescription painkillers and illegal opiates, such as heroin. The training is sponsored by the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the Centers for...
Read MoreSeeking second chances
FRANKFORT – Nathan Teague made a mistake because of his substance abuse. Although he successfully completed treatment and is doing well in recovery, the non-violent, Class D felony, continues to haunt him. “Restaurant work is really the only job you can get with a felony,” Teague commented during a press conference at the Capitol Rotunda to announce the creation of a Criminal...
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