Addiction epidemic in WNC

Western North Carolina doesn’t have an opioid epidemic.   “We have an addiction epidemic,” said Beth Young, coordinator of the addiction studies program at WCU. After a panel conversation about the opioid crisis in Western North Carolina, It’s clear the situation is getting worse.  The panel was part of the pre-literary festival event to promote one of the […]

Regional partners tackle substance abuse

This story was written by Tanner Hall, originally published in The Sylva Herald. Officials with Vaya Health, previously Smoky Mountain Center, will form a regional partnership to reduce alcohol and drug misuse, such as prescription-drug addiction, and the number of fatal overdoses. Vaya Health manages public funds for mental health, substance abuse and developmental disability services in […]