ASHEVILLE, NC – In recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day on Aug. 31, Vaya Health reaffirms its strong commitment to combating the opioid crisis through its continued distribution of NARCAN, proactive community education, and support for individuals in recovery.
NARCAN, the nasal spray form of Naloxone, is designed to be easily administered by non-medical personnel, such as police officers, friends, or family members of someone at risk of overdose. Last year, Vaya distributed 44,664 NARCAN doses across 32 North Carolina counties, bringing much-needed resources to communities and equipping law enforcement partners, healthcare providers, and individuals to respond in emergencies.
As of June, this year, Vaya delivered an additional 44,976 doses of NARCAN to harm reduction agencies, outpatient treatment programs, EMS units, detention centers, and more.
“Having NARCAN ready and available to distribute across North Carolina communities has proved vital in the prevention and education of potential opioid overdoses,” said Tracy Hayes, Area Director and CEO at Vaya. “Vaya remains committed to ensuring a steady and stable distribution of life-saving resources to healthcare providers, first responders, and citizens in North Carolina communities as long as there is a need.”
Beyond NARCAN distribution, Vaya is also investing in solutions to bridge treatment gaps in rural and underserved communities. Following a $1.7 million allocation from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS)with Hurricane Helene recovery funds, Vaya is deploying three new mobile Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) units in partnership with Mission Mobile Medical, a North Carolina company. These mobile units, expected to be operational by late October to November, will extend services from established clinics to rural areas and prison/detention settings where access to medication for opioid use disorder is limited.
The first three units will be operated by:
- Hazelwood Healthcare – Based in Macon County, serving Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Jackson, Macon, and Swain counties
- Vance Recovery (Morse Clinic) – Based in Vance County, serving Vance, Franklin, and Granville counties
- Behavioral Health Group (BHG) – anticipated to serve Haywood, Swain, Transylvania, and Graham counties
Building on this momentum, Vaya recently received an additional $2 million from NCDHHS to fund up to three more mobile OTP units. The additional units are projected to launch in late fall or early winter:
- Stepping Stone (Pinnacle Treatment Center) – Based in Watauga County, will serve Avery, Ashe, and Alleghany counties
- Crossroads TX Center – Based in northern Buncombe County, will serve northern Buncombe, Madison, Mitchell, Yancey, and McDowell counties
- BrightView – Will serve Alamance, Caswell, and Stokes counties
As communities across North Carolina grapple with the opioid epidemic, Vaya remains steadfast in its commitment to providing a range of services to support individuals and their families affected by substance use, including medication-assisted treatment, counseling, and peer support.
If you, or someone you know, is struggling with opioid use, don’t wait. Contact Vaya Health’s Behavioral Health Crisis Line today to learn more about available resources and services: 1-800-849-6127.
About Vaya Health
Vaya Health is a specialty managed care organization and local government agency that oversees publicly funded health care services across a 32-county region of North Carolina for people with significant behavioral health needs, intellectual/developmental disabilities, and traumatic brain injuries. Vaya manages Medicaid, federal, state, and local funding to meet member and community needs while advancing whole-person health. Together with members, contracted providers, and local partners, we’re moving forward to a healthier North Carolina. Vaya Health can be found online at vayahealth.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/VayaHealth/, on X (formerly known as Twitter) @VayaHealth, and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/vaya-health.
