Building a Healthier West Virginia: ODCP attends the 2025 WV Prevention Day
WV Departments of Health, Health Facilities, and Human Services
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The West Virginia Department of Human Services' (DoHS) Office of Drug Control Policy (ODCP) attended the 2025 West Virginia Prevention Day at the Legislature, hosted by the West Virginia Prevention First Alliance. The event, held on April 2, 2025, brought together community members, prevention professionals, and state leaders to highlight the importance of prevention efforts across the state.
West Virginia Prevention Day provides a crucial opportunity for individuals and organizations to speak directly with legislators about the challenges their communities face. The event highlights proactive efforts in substance use prevention, suicide prevention, tobacco prevention, and bullying prevention, ensuring that the voices of prevention advocates contribute to shaping policies that foster healthier communities.
DoHS’s Deputy Secretary of Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders Christina Mullins attended the event, emphasizing the Department's commitment to strengthening prevention initiatives statewide. Her presence reinforced the department’s dedication to supporting local prevention programs and working alongside community partners to build a healthier West Virginia.
ODCP’s Jessica Smith, Education and Outreach Program Manager, was present to share valuable information and resources related to treatment and recovery. At the ODCP table, attendees had access to the Choose Your Own Treatment Guide, a resource designed to help individuals navigate treatment options and find the right support for their recovery journey. Additional materials included crucial information on fentanyl, naloxone (a life-saving overdose reversal drug), details on treatment vs. recovery beds, and an overview of the Patient Brokering Act, which protects individuals from exploitation during the treatment process.
“ODCP values the opportunity to connect with community partners and share essential resources. The prevention efforts we champion today lay the foundation for stronger, more resilient communities tomorrow,” said Jessica Smith, ODCP’s Education and Outreach Program Manager.
Attendees had the opportunity to join in person at the West Virginia Capitol or participate virtually via livestream, making it accessible to individuals across the state. ODCP continues to reinforce the importance of prevention as a key strategy in addressing behavioral health challenges and improving the well-being of West Virginians.
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The West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS) provides a wide range of necessary and life-saving services to many West Virginia residents. DoHS includes the Bureau for Social Services, Bureau for Medical Services, Bureau for Child Support Enforcement, Bureau for Family Assistance, Bureau for Behavioral Health, Office of Drug Control Policy, Commission to Study Residential Placement of Children, Family Protection Services Board, Catastrophic Illness Commission, and the WV Women's Commission.
For more information, visit humanservices.wv.gov.