WV facilities now referral sites for prescription drug abuse `quitline`

Three comprehensive behavioral healthcare centers have become referral sites for the West Virginia Prescription Drug Abuse Quitline to assist in recovery and treatment of prescription drug abusers. The three centers are: Westbrook Health Services in Parkersburg; Healthways, Inc., in the Northern Panhandle; and Valley HealthCare System in Morgantown.

"The quitline is a single point of entry where people who are suffering with prescription drug addictions can go to for their needs in recovery," Steve Burton, chief executive officer of First Choice Health Systems, said, "We are looking forward to having the resources of these three centers available and being able to refer callers to their wonderful facilities for care."

The West Virginia Prescription Drug Abuse Quitline, operated by First Choice Health Systems, is a confidential resource for prescription drug abusers and their family members. The services of the quitline include: referral to treatment centers, setting appointments at help centers, self-help materials, and listening to callers' issues. All quitline educators are qualified and trained in addiction and recovery services.

"The quitline is an extremely important tool in assisting families and addicts with the resources they need to find treatment centers," Burton said.

The West Virginia Prescription Drug Abuse Quitline was created in 2008 with funding from a settlement the state of West Virginia obtained from Purdue Pharma, a prescription drug company, for its aggressive marketing of the drug OxyContin. Funding from the settlement ceased in June 2011. The program has applied for funding from the Department of Health and Human Resources and is seeking matching funds from the private sector.

More information on the West Virginia Prescription Drug Abuse Quitline is available online at www.wvrxabuse.org or by phone at 1-866-987-8488.