The West Virginia Collegiate Recovery Network (WV CRN), a program of the Marshall University Research Corporation’s Alliance for the Economic Development of Southern West Virginia, is collaborating with schools and organizations across the state to celebrate National Collegiate Recovery Day on Thursday, April 15.
Nearly a dozen organizations and institutions in West Virginia are participating, including BridgeValley Community and Technical College, Concord University, Marshall University, West Virginia State University, West Virginia University, Movable: Narratives of Recovery, the West Virginia Drug Intervention Institute (WV DII), Community Connections, Southern Highlands Community Mental Health Center and WVSADD. The organizations are hosting events to raise awareness about collegiate recovery.
“We have to do more for students facing problematic substance use and mental health challenges,” said Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker, West Virginia’s chancellor for higher education. “That’s why we are so proud to be part of a network of collegiate professionals working together to increase access to recovery programs in support of students’ health and
educational success. On Collegiate Recovery Day, we recommit ourselves to the critical mission of making sure our students have the support they need to complete their college education and secure a brighter future for themselves and their families.”
As part of the day’s activities, representatives from the WV DII will participate in the Marshall University and Concord University activities, sharing information on SmartRX University, a medication safety program designed to educate college students about the dangers of sharing medications. WV DII will also offer free overdose reversal training to students and the campus community, as well as free naloxone kits to trained individuals.
“We are excited to partner with the West Virginia Collegiate Recovery Network to provide important lifesaving medication and programming for West Virginia’s college students,” said Dr. Susan Bissett, WV DII president.
Susie Mullens is program coordinator for the WV CRN.
“Over the past few years and with the help of federal funding, West Virginia has made critical advancements to support our students who are in recovery or have been impacted by someone in active addiction,” Mullens said. “Collegiate Recovery is about providing students with peer support and a sense of togetherness so they are better prepared to reach higher education attainment.”
For more information about the West Virginia Collegiate Recovery Network, visit: @CRNWV on Facebook and www.marshall.edu/crn.