The Ashe Substance Misuse Coalition

The opioid epidemic is affecting the entire United States and is not prejudice to geographic locations where there is low income, underinsured residents, and a lower population percentage. Ashe County dispensed 69.8 opioid pills per person in 2018 compared to the North Carolina average of 43.7. Between 2014 and 2018, the unintentional overdose deaths due to opioids in Ashe County were 11.1 compared to the NC average which was 13.6.

The Ashe Substance Misuse Coalition consists of various community organizations that all have the same idea in mind; to provide better, affordable, and community driven care in Ashe County. Our Core group consists of members from AppHealth Department, Ashe Memorial Hospital, Ashe Medics, Ashe County Sheriff's Office, Western Youth Health Network, Daymark Recovery Services, and Vaya Health.

The ASMC is committed to focusing on the capacity building needed to address all the focus areas of prevention, treatment, recovery and community support. We have begun to start the process of creating and implementing a strategic plan that will unite and strengthen available resources, identify and leverage additional resources and use the strength of our community to assure that services are acceptable, affordable and accessible.

Substance misuse is the number one health concern for Ashe County. We want to focus on all areas that impact the high rate of opioid deaths in Ashe whether intentional or unintentional. We plan to educate the community and help reduce the stigma behind substance misuse. The ASMC will work with various community organizations to increase narcan distribution, treatment and recovery services, and help bridge a connection between providers and those who use substances. ASMC email: Click Here to send Email

Find us on facebook @AsheSubstanceMisuseCoalition to stay up to date on community events