Addressing the Opioid Crisis in Rural East Tennessee
By Fostering Healthy, Safe, and Secure Communities
LEARN MORELatest News
Recent Consortium Recording
Current Newsletter
Our Summer 2025 newsletter on COURAGE – Combating Opioid Use in Rural Appalachia with Grace and Evidence has been published!
Click here to read.
Consortium Recording
East TN Rural Health Consortium Meeting Recording:
The July consortium meeting on Three Years of COURAGE: OUD prevention in rural East TN is now available for viewing online here. Here is the link to the COURAGE presentation. After viewing, please complete the evaluation. Your feedback is critical in ensuring that our content meets your needs in addition to guiding future programs! The link to the 5-minute survey is https://tiny.utk.edu/etrhc718.
Here is another exciting news!!! WBIR write about the work of COURAGE-Faith Leaders Overcoming Opioids (FLOC)
Key messages for the month of August 2025
August 31st International Overdose Awareness Day:
- An annual campaign created to end overdose, raise awareness, remember those who passed from overdose, erase the stigma, and acknowledge the grief experienced by family and friends.
CDC’s Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Campaign:
- As students head back to school, it’s essential to foster a supportive environment to prevent youth substance use. The Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program mobilizes community leaders and coalitions to address local drug problems and change environmental conditions that contribute to substance use. By strengthening collaboration among various sectors, DFC aims to reduce substance use among youth and create sustainable community-level changes. Engage with a DFC coalition in your area to support these efforts and promote a drug-free environment for students. For more details, visit the CDC’s DFC page here.
Back-to-school & Substance Use Disorder (SUD):
- Did you know that the transition back to school can be a stressful time, which might increase the risk of substance use among students? It’s important to be aware of the signs and have open conversations about the dangers of opioid use and other substances. Schools and parents can work together to provide support and resources to help students make healthy choices. Stay informed and help create a drug-free school environment!
–CDC’s Information on High Risk Substance Use Among Youth
SAMHSA’s Resources for Substance Use Prevention for Youth and College Students
Faith- Based Partnerships
These short, on-demand video highlights Faith-Based Partnerships and Addiction Prevention. It can be viewed HERE.
The expert panel includes:
- AJ Ernst, Technical Expert Lead, JBS International
- Lorena Corral, RCORP Project Director (Psychostimulant Support II) at Alcohol and Drug Awareness Center for the Concho Valley
- Shameka Cody, Associate Professor and RCORP Project Director (Implementation IV) at the Capstone College of Nursing at The University of Alabama
- Laurie L. Meschke, Professor of Public Health at the University of Tennessee Knoxville and RCORP Project Director (Implementation IV) for COURAGE: Combatting Opioid Use in Rural Appalachia with Grace and Evidence
Narcan saves lives: stop overdose in its tracks
Digital Stories
of Opioid Use Disorder
Mallie’s Story
Ron’s Story
April’s Story
Opportunities
WestCare TN Workforce Summit
August 21, 2025
Other Activities
Upcoming Events
Have an event you would like to add?
Email us at cajilogb@vols.utk.edu