Student organization partners with Pathways for community training

April 10, 2023

ASHLAND, Ky. – ACTC’s Addicts and Allies for Education (AAE) organization partnered with Pathways, Inc. to host a “Harm Reduction” training workshop on ACTC’s College Drive Campus on Friday, March 17.  Harm Reduction Training teaches participants how to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose and administer the opioid-reversal drug Narcan.   

Pathways, Inc. offers trainings and services as part of their Community Prevention initiative to increase public awareness and involvement in alcohol, tobacco, and other drug prevention, suicide prevention, and behavioral health promotion through the Pathways Regional Prevention Center (RPC).  RPC employs Certified Prevention Specialists to provide consultation, technical assistance, and training to mobilize schools, community agencies, and community groups to plan, implement, and evaluate comprehensive, evidence-based substance abuse and suicide prevention programs made available in all ten counties served by Pathways.  

Ronne Nunley, Chief of Business Development for Pathways, was thrilled to offer this learning opportunity to ACTC students.  “Narcan is a life-saving harm reduction strategy for treatment of a known or suspected opioid overdose. Every life saved is a potential opportunity to get an individual into treatment and recovery. And, the life you save may be a friend, family member, or a loved one,” he said.

Janet Thompson, faculty advisor for ACTC’s AAE group, says that offering Harm Reduction training on campus was a major goal for the student organization, and grateful for the partnership with Pathways.  

“Pathways, Inc. has been an amazing collaborator with AAE in providing support, education, and resources for addiction and recovery care to our campus and community,” she said. “The response from ACTC students, faculty, and staff has been overwhelmingly positive in promotion and attendance of the recent Harm Reduction Training.  Narcan saves lives and we are grateful to promote its use through our organization.”

For more information about ACTC’s Addicts and Allies for Education group, contact Thompson by emailing Janet.Thompson@kctcs.edu