The HOPE Chautauqua Coalition, an initiative of Prevention Works Inc., has received an $800,000 state grant over four years towards community-based opioid prevention services.

The grant titled the Fentanyl, Opioid, Rx (FORx) Grant is funded through the state Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) and is designed for Community Prevention Coalitions throughout the state.

FORx will allow the HOPE Chautauqua Coalition to continue its efforts with reducing access and availability of opioids and other prescription medication, with an added focus on bringing awareness to the dangers of fentanyl within the community. HOPE will also be able to continue providing outreach and medication safety resources such as Prescription Drug Lock Bags and Drug Deactivation Kits FREE to Chautauqua County residents.

One of HOPE’s goals through FORx will be to get as many community members, families, and individuals trained in the administration of the overdose reversal medication Naloxone (Narcan) and how to utilize fentanyl test strips through harm reduction informational sessions.

“With the increasing number of overdoses and overdose deaths that include fentanyl here in Chautauqua County, HOPE has a duty now more than ever to increase our outreach and prevention efforts. The more rural areas tend to be forgotten about, but through the FORx Grant we will be able to lease a new van (a Prevention Mobile Unit) to reach those communities and meet our people where they’re at,” said Kelley Potter, coalition director.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Days in April and October and the Prescription Drug Drop Boxes that are set up in various places throughout Chautauqua County will continue to remain a staple in HOPE’s efforts to reduce the availability of prescription medication in the home.

HOPE Chautauqua’s mission is to create an environment where all youth can develop into healthy and productive adults through the promotion and implementation of healthy lifestyle choices, and the use of evidence-based, community-level substance use interventions.