October 18, 2024 Connect Protect Recover: Community Event The Connect Protect Recover campaign, which was launched by the Allegheny County Department of Human Services, will hold a community event in Braddock in late October. Learn More The campaign was created to address disparities in substance use disorders (SUD), including overdose deaths, in low-income communities of color in the county. The event is aimed to share messages, information, and support with underserved residents. It will include: A chance to hear from and speak with certified recovery specialists Free Narcan kits and training Connections to affordable medical care via local health clinics Self-care gifts and other giveaways The event will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 29 at Greater Valley Community Services, located at 300 Holland Ave. in Braddock.
October 1, 2024 Campaign Aims to Reduce Disparities in SUD-Related Deaths in Allegheny County An Allegheny County campaign has been launched to reduce the disparities in Substance Use Disorder (SUD) deaths as well as increase access to treatment and recovery services. Learn More Black residents in Allegheny County are more than three times more likely to die from drug overdoses than white residents, according to the Connect Protect Recover campaign. Additionally, Black and Brown communities in the county are disproportionately impacted by opioids and other drugs. Connect Protect Recover launched this year to ensure that residents of these communities have an equal voice in which potential solutions should be funded by the county. The campaign is asking for county residents to share their thoughts on how it should spend millions of dollars it will receive as part of the national Opioid Settlement Fund. It specifically seeks input on how to use the funds to: Support new and existing resources to address harms related to opioid use Help people with opioid addiction and related disorders Address harms caused to those impacted by the opioid epidemic The campaign hopes to hear from a broad and diverse range of community members, especially those in active addiction or with lived experience involving SUDs. Those interested can provide feedback on the campaign’s website. The public comment period ends on Thursday, Oct. 31.