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Welcome to the bimonthly newsletter from the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR), Office of Drug Control Policy (ODCP).

If you know someone who would like to receive future issues, please email Dora.L.Radford@wv.gov.

Tobacco use disorder is one of the most common substance use disorders in West Virginia, with more than 20% of West Virginians identifying as active smokers.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this results in more than 10,000 avoidable tobacco-related deaths in West Virginia, and more than $1 billion in associated health care costs. Thankfully, there are evidence-based prevention and treatment programs available across the state. 

 According to the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources’ Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, we see that the tides are beginning to turn: we now have more West Virginians who are former smokers than active smokers.  Also, West Virginia’s Medicaid program covers all three of the U.S. Department of Food and Drug Administration’s approved medications proven to reduce smoking, as well as individual counseling, as successful strategies for quitting smoking.

Youth vaping presents a new threat to the progress against harmful nicotine use.  Banning the use of flavored products and marketing towards youth has been successful in preventing tobacco use in this age group and presents a clear path forward to prevent a new generation of West Virginians from becoming addicted to nicotine.  If we can adequately address the vaping threat, we will remain on the path to success of improving health.  

In this edition of the newsletter, you will learn of innovative approaches to addressing each of these issues. Let’s move forward together.

Op-Ed: A Common Enemy
Greg Puckett
Mercer County Commissioner; Executive Director of Community Connections; Chair of the National Association of Counties (NACo) Rural Action Caucus
In 2001, the national commitment to stronger, healthier communities in tackling tobacco and nicotine addiction was valued fiscally and much more of a concern comprehensively than it is today. It is for that reason why I think we, as 
prevention professionals, have a public health obligation to protect our communities and ‘get back to basics.’  
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Tobacco Prevention and Cessation in West Virginia
James Kerrigan, Director, West Virginia Division of Tobacco Prevention
West Virginia has the highest reported adult tobacco use in the nation at 25.2%. West Virginia is ranked second highest in the nation in the prevalence of smokeless tobacco use at 8.9% among adults.

The current use of electronic cigarettes (also known as e-cigarettes or vaping) by West Virginia adults is 5.7%, and more than 35.7% of West Virginia high school students report current use of e-cigarettes

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources’ (DHHR) Division of Tobacco (DTP) is the lead state agency for comprehensive tobacco prevention, cessation, and control. DTP saves lives and money in West Virginia by preventing and reducing tobacco use - the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the United States. 

READ MORE
The West VirginiaTobacco Quitline
Lata Menon, CEO, First Choice Services
​First Choice Services has operated the WV Tobacco Quitline since 2017. The Quitline is part of the national 1-800-QUIT-NOW program, supported by the National Cancer Institute and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 
Callers are screened for participation using the Minimum Data Set Questions developed by the North American Quitline Consortium and any additional screens indicated for special populations. WV Tobacco Quitline staff complete the intake, enter clinical and demographic data using a HIPAA-secure database, coordinate benefits and shipping with patient insurance, and complete coaching and follow-up calls. The Quitline operates with live call, text and chat services for a total of 64 hours per week. Voicemails left after-hours are returned the following business day.
Read More
 The West Virginia Division of Tobacco Prevention
Governor Appointed Task Force

The single and most preventable cause of death and disease in West Virginia is tobacco. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) data, West Virginia has the highest rates of tobacco use and substance use disorder (SUD) in the United States. SUD relapse is increased for those who continue or initiate cigarette use after stopping the use of illicit drugs, and one way to improve long-term substance use outcomes is by incorporating tobacco cessation treatments and tobacco use prevention efforts into substance misuse treatment.

Like many states, West Virginia has a program that manages and oversees programming and services to address tobacco prevention and cessation. The West Virginia Division of Tobacco Prevention (DTP) is a division of the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Bureau for Public Health. In March 2020, HB 4494 created a Governor-appointed task force to study and evaluate the programs and services provided by the Division of Tobacco Prevention, and to make recommendations to potentially expand and improve these services. 

The Task Force met monthly and submitted conclusions and recommendations to the West Virginia Legislature as the first step in a strategic, guided directional shift that will chart a new course in how the state addresses tobacco use. Key recommendations are categorized and detailed under the headings of Cessation Interventions, Community Interventions, Media Interventions, Evaluation, and Policy. 

The Task Force’s final report  can be viewed here.

UPCOMING EVENTS
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April 19, 2022 8:00 AM - 04/19/2022 2:30 PM
Peer Recovery Ethics Workshop

Contact Information:
Dave Sanders David.H.Sanders@wv.gov
Event Link: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEqduigpzItGdJi5Z6XkDw4wmK6Tcy3zbfv

Dave Sanders and James Matney, trainers with DHHR's Bureau for Behavioral Health, present the Peer Recovery Ethics Workshop. This three-part workshop will provide the knowledge that informs the skills and attitudes of the ethical practice of peer support. Ethics in the delivery of recovery support services is crucial to the success and quality of those services. Through discussion and practice sessions participants will examine the ethical responsibilities of peer supporters and discuss ethical scenarios in small group settings.


 May 4, 2022 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Opioid Response Network West Virginia State Opioid Response Workshop Series 2 - Session #7: Compassion Fatigue

Presenter:  Erin Winstanley
Contact Information: Debbie Doherty ddoherty@danyainstitute.org 
Event Link: Unavailable at this time


May 24, 2022 8:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Peer Recovery Ethics Workshop

Contact Information: Dave Sanders David.H.Sanders@wv.gov
Event Link: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMucOuqpzgvG9aPEhxLnzeQI90JnOLJfG7

Dave Sanders and James Matney, trainers with DHHR's Bureau for Behavioral Health, present the Peer Recovery Ethics Workshop. This three-part workshop will provide the knowledge that informs the skills and attitudes of the ethical practice of peer support. Ethics in the delivery of recovery support services is crucial to the success and quality of those services. Through discussion and practice sessions participants will examine the ethical responsibilities of peer supporters and discuss ethical scenarios in small group settings.


June 1, 2022 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Opioid Response Network West Virginia State Opioid Response Workshop Series 2 - Session #8

Presenter:  To Be Announced
Contact Information: Debbie Doherty ddoherty@danyainstitute.org 
Event Link: Unavailable at this time

Discovering community resources that support sustainable recovery and identifying service gaps that create challenges and barriers (including individuals re-entering the community post-incarceration)

We want to hear about the work you are doing!

The purpose of this newsletter is to highlight successful responses to substance use disorder (SUD) across the state. If your organization would like to share the work being done in your region for upcoming newsletters, please email
Jessica.N.Smith@wv.gov.
Website: https://dhhr.wv.gov/Office-of-Drug-Control-Policy
Our mailing address: 1 Davis Square, Suite 100, East, Charleston, WV 25301

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West Virginia Office of Drug Control Policy · 1 Davis Sq Ste 100E · Charleston, WV 25301-1729 · USA

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