New, innovative prevention education plan will be supported by DoHS and its prevention partners
West Virginia Press Association
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A new, innovative Prevention Education Plan is coming to West Virginia Schools and Communities courtesy of a collaboration between West Virginia University (WVU) and Marshall University (Marshall), GameChanger, prevention leaders, schools and local coalitions to aid in substance use prevention efforts.
West Virginia Governor and GameChanger Head Coach Jim Justice along with WVU President Dr. Gordon Gee, Marshall President Brad D. Smith, DoHS Deputy Secretary of Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders Christina Mullins and GameChanger Founder and Executive Director Joe Boczek announced One State, One Vision, a multi-faceted Prevention Education plan directed at vigorously addressing substance use and misuse in West Virginia Schools and Communities.
Supported by the West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS) and West Virginia’s Prevention Partners, who are putting the finishing touches on the comprehensive plan, the initiative will be directed to youth and communities across the Mountain State.
“This is a monumental day in Prevention Education not only in West Virginia but the entire nation, Justice says. “For our two major universities to team with GameChanger in a program supported by our West Virginia Department Human Services and the state’s Prevention Partners is monumental and will send a clear message that West Virginia will not stand down to deadly drugs and vaping in our schools and communities.”
Gee, who has led WVU for more than a decade, says WVU is laser-focused on helping the State, GameChanger, teachers and administrators, and the staff at DoHS and the Prevention Partners across West Virginia with prevention education initiatives.
“Our land grant mission at West Virginia University calls us to serve the people of the Mountain State,” Gee said. “This epidemic is hurting our communities and our children, and we must come together to solve it. As a world-class leader in addiction prevention, treatment, and research, WVU stands with our leaders, GameChanger, West Virginia’s students and their families, and the incredible prevention partners making significant contributions to address this terrible problem.”
Smith, who has been President of Marshall since 2022, says Marshall is committed to doing everything possible to address the drug issue affecting our youth in schools and communities across West Virginia. A leader in the prevention, treatment, recovery, reentry and continuum of care, Marshall partners with communities and organizations like GameChanger, DoHS, West Virginia’s Prevention Partners to help serve communities and save lives.
“Substance use disorder touches every community, and we are coming together to build a national model to help save our youth – West Virginia’s most precious resource. Our Marshall team brings decades of experience, research, education and services to this partnership and we are optimistic about the future.”
Mullins who is overseeing the overall structure of the prevention plan says, “It has been a pleasure to work with a group of committed partners. Working toward one common goal is especially gratifying.”
Boczek, who founded GameChanger in 2018 and who has served as its Executive Director since its inception, says this is a dream come true.
“This is like a dream come true. Since the very first day GameChanger was in existence, it was my hope to bring the best and brightest in Academia and Prevention Education together with the goal of saving lives and greatly reducing substance misuse, making West Virginia a better place to live and raise a family.”
A release containing details of the overall collaboration will be issued by DoHS and the Prevention Partners.
