A Successful Safe a Life Day

September 14, 2023

West Virginia was one of 13 states in the Appalachian region to participate in Safe a Life Day. Community members, friends, family, people who use drugs, and anyone wishing to be prepared to save a life were welcomed to be trained on how to use Naloxone. The medication, the most common being a nasal spray called Narcan, works to reverse opioid overdoses with no adverse side effects. 

The devastation of the opioid overdose epidemic in the Appalachian region is well-known, and according to data from the CDC, five of the ten states that have the worst overdose rates are in the Appalachian region, where the loss of loved ones in 2021 represented 38% of the fatalities in the nation for that year.

Although only 2 counties in the Mountain State first participated in Save a Life Day in 2020, all 55 counties in West Virginia participated in Save A Life Day in 2023. Since Save a Life Day started in West Virginia, the state with the worst overdose rate, West Virginia-based SOAR now works with more than 150 counties spread across 13 states to come together and support one another.

Ritchie Regional was fortunate enough to participate in Safe a Life Day in both Pleasants and Ritchie. It was a pleasure to be a part of the WV-wide event; we’re already thinking about how to make it even better next year!

​We'd like to thank everyone who came out to Save a Life Day 2023! Because of you, the day was a huge success! Breaking through stigma and supporting each other is how we conquer the opioid epidemic. ​

Special thanks to all the organizers, volunteers, and sponsors who made Safe a Life possible ❤️💛🖤

#SaveaLifeAppalachia #savealife