LVHN Offered Prevention, Recovery and Treatment Options at ‘Rally in the Valley’

Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) promoted harm-reduction approaches in the midst of the overdose crisis worsened by and often overshadowed by the COVID-19 pandemic at Rally in the Valley in south Bethlehem on Sept. 12. Addiction prevention, recovery and treatment options were offered at the event organized by SYNC Recovery Community at the ArtsQuest Center. Among those who attended were LVHN colleagues from LVHN Addiction Recovery Services, LVHN Inclusion Health Recovery Care/Center of Excellence, LVHN Department of Psychiatry, LVHN Emergency Medicine Institute and Valley Health Partners Street Medicine.

Rally in the Valley is an annual free music festival to celebrate recovery as a community concept and brings light to the many strengths that accompany a recovering lifestyle. The event featured music, dynamic speakers, food, fun family activities, and many resources and support.

Gillian A. Beauchamp, MD, LVHN’s Department of Emergency and Hospital Medicine and Medical Director, Acute Care Substance Use Prevention and Management, says the overdose crisis was worsened by and often overshadowed by the COVID pandemic. Beauchamp says the health network provided naloxone training and distributed 120 naloxone kits with the support of Lehigh County Drug and Alcohol. Instructors taught community members how to use naloxone to reverse an opioid overdose and save a life, giving someone the chance to breathe again and enter recovery. In addition, LVHN Emergency Medicine Institute offered CPR classes to 110 people and provided take home CPR training/practice kits to each participant. 

“With the increased stressors of the COVID pandemic, people with substance use and mental health conditions have suffered in the context of reduced access to support and resources,” Beauchamp says. “In addition, the street supply of pills and powders are now heavily contaminated with fentanyl and similar synthetic substances, which can more easily cause accidental overdose death. Now, more than ever, keeping naloxone on hand is important to ensure we give our community members the chance to survive an overdose and to live their best lives.” 

In addition, Beauchamp says, LVHN distributed 300 Deterra medication disposal bags, which make it easier and safer for people to dispose of unused medications in the community.  Unused medications are common in our homes and can get into the wrong hands, resulting in increased risk for accidental poisoning, harmful use and even death.  Deterra bags provide an easy way for families to dispose of medications before they cause harm by deactivating the drugs, making them safe to dispose of in landfills.  The bags are environmentally friendly, since they are converted to natural water and carbon dioxide through a natural process.

“We are proud to have joined the community in celebrating recovery at the 2021 Rally in the Valley,” Beauchamp says.