Mon Valley Opioid Coalition
Stigma Survey
Help the Mon Valley Opioid Coalition assess stigma in the community by completing a STIGMA SURVEY.
Save Lives With Naloxone
Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse an opioid overdose, saving lives. Because has no adverse effects on an individual who is not using opiates, it is safe to keep readily available. Understand, however, that Naloxone works only for opioid overdoses (heroin, oxycodone, fentanyl, etc.) and will not have an effect on individuals overdosing on non-opioids (cocaine, methamphetamine, etc).
Watch this video to learn about opioids, how naloxone works, and how to administer naloxone during an opioid overdose.
Westmoreleand County residents may request free, mail-order Naloxone by following this link:
First responders must report when they administer naloxone using this brief, one-page form
About the Coalition
Formed to combat the ongoing opioid epidemic in the area, the Mon Valley Opioid Coalition is having an impact and saving lives. The coalition, whose vision statement is “Uniting the Mon Valley to ensure the long-term health, safety and well-being of individuals in the region,” has been meeting monthly since November at Westmoreland Drug and Alcohol Commission’s office building’s training room in Monessen.
Members of the coalition include representatives of the Westmoreland Drug and Alcohol Commission, Washington Drug and Alcohol, Fayette County Drug and Alcohol Commission, the Drug Enforcement Agency, Southwestern Pennsylvania Human Services, Mon Valley Hospital, Mon Valley Emergency Medical Services and Rostraver-West Newton Emergency Medical Services.
The coalition also includes members of the faith-based community, representatives from Belle Vernon Area High School, including three students, prevention providers, recovery community members, treatments providers and pharmacists. Representative Justin Walsh also plays an active role with the coalition.
Colleen Hughes, Executive Director of Westmoreland Drug and Alcohol Commission and Monessen Police Chief Jim Smith co-chair the coalition. Rostraver Township, Charleroi and Donora police are also represented.
The coalition approved a three-year strategic plan which ends in 2025 and identifies five broad goals:
- Goal 1: Increase education and awareness and eliminate stigma in Mon Valley surrounding the topics of substance use disorder (SUD) and opioid use disorder (OUD), treatment, recovery, and harm reduction.
- Goal 2: Increase access to and utilization of Naloxone in the community to save lives.
- Goal 3: Eliminate barriers and increase access and utilization of treatment services for SUD.
- Goal 4: Ensure that all residents in the Mon Valley area have opportunity to access recovery services and a supportive community.
Facts About the Opioid Epidemic*
National Statistics
- Heroin-related overdose deaths have quadrupled since 2010, as the heroin use has increased during that time frame.
- From 2014-2015, heroin overdose death rates increased by 20.6%, with nearly 13,000 people dying in 2015.
- Among new heroin users, approximately 3 out of 4 report having abused prescription opioids prior to using heroin.
- More than 9 in 10 people who used heroin also used at least one other drug.
Pennsylvania Statistics
- In 2018, Pennsylvania coroners and medical examiners reported 4,491 drug-related overdose deaths (ruled accidental or undetermined).
- This number represents a rate of 35 deaths per 100,000 people.
- Between 2015 and 2018, there was a 36% increase in the number of drug-related overdose deaths in Pennsylvania .
*National statistics are from www.cdc.gov and state statistics are from www.overdosefreepa.org
Mon Valley Lives Lost
2018
- Allegheny: 737
- Fayette: 75
- Washington: 97
- Westmoreland: 122
2017
- Allegheny: 432
- Fayette: 41
- Washington: 75
- Westmoreland: 193
Do You Need Help Finding Resources for Yourself or a Loved One?
Westmoreland Drug and Alcohol Commission: (724) 243-2220
Southwest Pennsylvania Human Services Centers of Excellence: 1-888-810-8595
Southwest Pennsylvania Human Services Drug and Alcohol Case Management and Certified Recovery Specialist Services: 1-800-220-1810
Family Support:
Monessen Family Center SAFE Program: (724) 684-4379
412 Reed Avenue, Monessen, PA
Salvation Army: (724) 684-4750
800 Thompson Ave, Donora, PA, 15033
Family Pet Care Assistance:
Mon Valley Paws
Website: www.monvalleypaws.com
E-mail: monvalleypaws@gmail.com
Phone: 724-493-8305
Employment:
Career Link: (724) 379-4750
570 Galiffa Drive
Donora, PA
PIC: (724) 684-4058
521 Schoonmaker Ave
Monessen, PA
Food Support:
Gate of Heaven Church: 2nd Saturday monthly and emergency boxes throughout month
644 Reed Ave
Monessen, PA
Salvation Army: 2nd Friday monthly and emergency boxes monthly
800 Thompson Ave, Donora, PA, 15033
Schooner Food Pantry at Orchard Church
701 Schoonmaker Avenue
Monessen, PA
Clothing:
Fellowship Baptist Church 9th and Knox Monessen
Belle Vernon United Methodist Church: 2nd and 4th Tuesday 9 AM-12 PM
(724) 929-4696
200 State St
Belle Vernon, PA
Belle Vernon Church of Nazarene: 3rd Saturday 1-4 PM
(724) 243-3799
108 Reed Avenue
Belle Vernon, PA