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Board adopts opioid awareness resolution after Virginia Tech study
Summary
Following a two‑year Virginia Tech community study, the Smyth County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a resolution designating 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 findings from a 2023–2025 Tri‑County community study that engaged 112 Smyth County participants and recommended community education, expanded treatment and changes to court and health‑care policies.
"We found 112 people in this county who came out and did this with us," Simpson said, summarizing the seed‑study process and urging the board to promote community‑led strategies such as free addiction awareness classes and on‑site child care at larger treatment centers.
Simpson asked the board to back a resolution to establish an annual Opioid and Substance Abuse Awareness Day on Sept. 21. The resolution text was read into the record and the board approved it unanimously by voice/hand vote. The resolution text calls for collaboration among local governments, health‑care providers, law enforcement, schools and community organizations and for the board to "commit[] to supporting initiatives, policies and partnerships that promote prevention, treatment, recovery and enforcement."
Board members praised local treatment efforts and asked staff to coordinate outreach. County staff and the presenter flagged transportation and child‑care support as recurring barriers to participation in recovery services; Simpson said the study specifically recommended making resources available where teenagers and families frequent and offering on‑site child care so mothers can seek treatment.
The board took no separate funding vote tied to the resolution at the meeting; staff were asked to follow up on next steps and coordination with Appalachian Center for Hope and other community partners.
