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Smith County adopts annual Opioid and Substance Abuse Awareness Day after Virginia Tech study
Summary
After a Virginia Tech–led community study of local opioid issues, the Smith County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a resolution declaring Sept. 21 as an annual Opioid and Substance Abuse Awareness Day and pledged support for community education and recovery services.
Shannon Simpson, central region coordinator for Virginia Tech's CO Project, presented a Tri‑County community study for Smith County and recommended a package of prevention and treatment strategies developed with local stakeholders. The board voted to adopt a resolution establishing an annual Opioid and Substance Abuse Awareness Day to be observed Sept. 21 in Smith County.
Simpson described the study as a multi‑year community process that engaged local stakeholders and people with lived experience. "We started this study in 2023 and finished it in 2025," she said, and said 112 Smith County residents participated in the Smith County component. The study's recommendations included increased community education, expanded formal and nonformal treatment and recovery services, policy changes to broaden case management, reduction of court‑mandated punishments in favor of treatment pathways for people who need recovery services, transportation solutions for court‑ordered activities, and on‑site child care at larger treatment facilities.
The resolution read to the board urges coordination with local providers such as the Appalachian Center for Hope and other community organizations and directs county support for awareness activities and partnerships. The resolution text specifies the awareness day will be observed annually on Sept. 21; the board adopted the resolution by unanimous voice/raise-of-hand vote.
Board members asked about next steps and distribution of the study materials; Simpson said pamphlets and contact information will be left with county staff for distribution and encouraged formation of local action teams to implement the recommendations.
