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Substance Use Prevention and Mental Health Resources for the Piedmont Community
Empowering Piedmont helps individuals, families, schools, and community organizations access education, prevention programs, and support resources focused on substance misuse, mental health, and long-term wellness.
Approximately 29.8 million people aged 12 and older were reported to have AUD, with a higher prevalence among males (12.6%) compared to females (8.5%). This includes significant numbers across different racial and ethnic groups, with the highest prevalence found among individuals identifying with two or more races (14.7%)
29.8 M
12.0% of college students and young adults not in college engaged in high-intensity drinking, which has serious implications for health and safety.
12%
Approximately 48.7 million people aged 12 or older had a substance use disorder in the past year. This figure includes 29.5 million individuals with an alcohol use disorder and 27.2 million with a drug use disorder. Notably, 8.0 million people had both an alcohol and drug use disorder.
48.7 M
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also sheds light on polysubstance use, indicating the commonality of using more than one drug, which poses significant risks due to potentially stronger, more unpredictable, and deadlier effects than using one drug alone. The CDC emphasizes that substance use disorders significantly affect brain circuits, leading to long-term behavioral changes and continued drug use despite harmful consequences.
CDC
Empowering Piedmont is a community coalition serving multiple counties across Virginia through prevention education, mental health awareness, recovery support resources, and community collaboration.
Our mission is to help ensure substance misuse, mental health struggles, and addiction are not barriers to healthy and fulfilling lives.
Through workshops, outreach programs, educational resources, and partnerships, we help communities take proactive steps toward prevention and long-term wellness.
Supporting Prevention, Recovery, and Mental Wellness Across Piedmont
Understanding the risks of vaping and how families can support healthier choices for teens.
Resources and education focused on fentanyl risks, overdose prevention, and community safety.
Understanding the connection between emotional wellness, stress, trauma, and substance misuse.
Prevention and Mental Health Education
When we work together as a team, we have a better chance of educating our community on the resources available to prevent and or recover from addiction
Randy Martin
Great volunteering way for the community to get involved and take a proactive role in the prevention of substance abuse.
Bonnie Morton
It's great to see a group that understands the importance of education around substance abuse and ways to prevent it.
Emily
Empowering Piedmont Testimonials
Community prevention works best when people work together.
Whether you are a parent, educator, healthcare professional, student, faith leader, or community advocate, your involvement can help create safer and healthier communities across the Piedmont region.
Join Empowering Piedmont to support prevention education, mental wellness initiatives, and community outreach efforts.