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ABOUT
WV DII

We are a team of dedicated partners and collaborators working together to make an impact.

MISSION & HISTORY.

CHANGING

LIVES.

The mission of the Drug Intervention Institute is to reduce opioid and drug-related deaths by (a) preventing substance use through education (b) reducing overdose through training and distribution related to naloxone and other opioid reversal agents, and, (c) supporting harm reduction and other drug-response efforts.
 

To fulfill its mission, WV DII is carrying out activities under three objectives – education, collaboration, and prevention. 

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The West Virginia Drug Intervention Institute (WV DII) began in May 2019, after nine months of study and deliberation regarding the best ways to reduce opioid drug deaths in West Virginia.  Funding was promised by the Winston-Salem Foundation from a donor-advised fund established by BB&T (now Truist). The founding members of the board interviewed people involved in and concerned about substance abuse, researched response activities elsewhere, identified possible response gaps, developed the Institute concept, and conducted the search for a president. WV DII is an independent 501(C)(3) entity. In addition, the partnership with an academic institution positions the WV DII with the unique ability to conduct research and analysis of program outcomes.

PARTNERS &

COLLABORATORS.

Partnerships and collaborations the WV DII includes working with the following in various capacities:

  • Cabin Creek Health Systems

  • Calhoun County Board of Education

  • Charleston Area Medical Center

  • First Choice Services

  • Generation Rx and the Ohio State University School of Pharmacy

  • Great Rivers Regional System for Addiction Care

  • Kanawha Charleston Health Department

  • Kanawha Valley Faith United

  • Kanawha Valley Collective

  • Kanawha Communities that Care (KCTC)

  • Kanawha County Board of Education

  • Monroe County Board of Education

  • Murphy Media Inc.

  • Opioid Response Innovation Initiative

  • Partners in Health

  • Putnam County Board of Education

  • Putnam Wellness Coalition

  • Regional Family Resource Network

  • Roane County Board of Education

  • Synergy Health Inc.

  • United Way of Central West Virginia

  • WV ACEs Coalition

  • WV Office of Drug Control and Policy

  • WVSU Healthy Grandfamilies

  • WV Department of Education

  • WV Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety

  • WV Prevention First Network

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BOARD MEMBERS

The WV DII board is comprised of eight voting members and two ex officio members. 

Voting members:

  • Dr. Edwin H. Welch, Chair/CEO of WV DII

  • Mr. Pat Graney

  • Dr. Glenn Crotty 

  • Mr. David Ferretti

  • Dr. Drema Mace Hill

  • Mr. John Kennedy

  • Dr. Thomas Menighan

  • Ms. Margaret O’Neal

  • Mr. Patrick O'Malley

  • Dr. Martin Roth

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Board Member Emeritus

  • Mr. Holmes Morrison

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Ex officio members:

  • Dr. Susan Bissett, President of WV DII

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