Vaya Health works with community partners throughout western North Carolina to combat substance use and inspire hope, healing and recovery. We support prevention, harm reduction and treatment efforts to improve the wellbeing of individuals, families and entire communities.
Strategic plan for WNC
In 2017, Vaya established the Western North Carolina Substance Use Alliance to increase collaboration among agencies and maximize efforts targeting the opioid use epidemic and other substance use. A diverse group of representatives worked together to leverage resources, reduce duplication and establish top priorities for our region.
The Alliance’s work culminated in a strategic plan to guide efforts throughout western North Carolina.
WNC Substance Use Alliance Comprehensive Community Strategic Plan
The regional plan’s top goals include increasing access to treatment and recovery services, strengthening prevention and education efforts and examining the impact of substance use on overall health and economic development. Four key areas are:
- Expanding medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
- Enhancing substance use treatment for pregnant women
- Strengthening the continuum of treatment and crisis services for adults
- Strengthening the continuum of treatment and prevention services for children and adolescents
The plan continues to guide Vaya and partner initiatives in the 22 counties we serve.
North Carolina’s Opioid Action Plan
The Alliance’s regional plan aligns with the North Carolina’s Opioid Action Plan to reduce opioid overdose deaths. The latest version of the state plan, version 2.0, aims to reduce expected opioid overdose deaths by 20% by 2021 and identify additional strategies focused on preventing substance use.