RALEIGH COUNTY, WV (WOAY) – On International Overdose Awareness Day, communities across Appalachia came together to remember those whose lives were cut short.
They thought of their grieving families and committed to preventing further deaths.
One Big Family, Driven by Hope (2025’s theme): emphasizes unity and compassion in the face of this crippling crisis that has rocked Southern West Virginia.
West Virginia Sober Living Solutions Peer Recovery Support Specialist Heather Williams has lived the devastation firsthand.
“I am a survivor of an overdose. I lost my husband to an overdose 17 years ago. I’ve lost close friends to overdose. So it’s a real thing and it’s dangerous,” Williams said, adding that Narcan isn’t even phased by many of today’s street drugs.
“Important to acknowledge the ones we have lost, and acknowledge the people who are still struggling with addiction,” said Williams. “The loss they’ve had in themselves is the reason they use substances to get through their day.”
“They’re human beings with families. They have children, moms, dads and people who really love and care about them.”
