With alarming rates of overdoses and substance use disorder in Martinsville-Henry County, The Harvest Foundation will invest $444,355 over three years to expand critical access to essential harm reduction services through the Virginia Harm Reduction Coalition (VHRC).
The coalition works through a peer outreach model to provide comprehensive harm reduction services that include education, Naloxone for opioid overdose reversal, HCV (hepatitis C) and HIV testing and treatment navigation, in addition to services for mental and sexual health, and connecting clients to substance use treatment services.
“We must all be aware of the health challenges associated with substance use,” said Dr. Sandy Strayer, program officer at The Harvest Foundation. “Preventing the spread of disease and supporting pathways to recovery is part of our work to build a community where everyone can thrive and have hope for their futures and the future of Martinsville-Henry County.”
This multi-year investment will enable VHRC to launch a mail-based distribution program to reach rural residents with life-saving resources, including naloxone, fentanyl test strips, sterile supplies, and educational materials. The initiative will also expand access to HIV and HCV testing, treatment navigation, and overdose prevention services, empowering individuals with tools and support to stay healthy and safe.“
Thanks to the generous support of the Harvest Foundation, VA Harm Reduction Coalition will be able to expand our outreach and education efforts into rural communities where access to infectious disease prevention and care is often limited,” said Ariel Johnson, director of operations for the West Piedmont branch of the VHRC. “Our work centers around one core belief: the opposite of addiction is connection. While many organizations require abstinence before offering support, we meet people where they are — without judgment. This funding strengthens our ability to build trust, share life-saving resources, and walk alongside those who use drugs as they navigate their paths toward health and dignity.”
Each year, VHRC serves approximately 1,500 clients across its service region in Southwest Virginia, including nearly 400 in the West Piedmont area, encompassing Martinsville and Henry County. The region faces alarmingly high overdose rates, with Henry County reporting 60 fatal overdoses per 100,000 residents and Martinsville reporting 105 deaths per 100,000, exceeding the state average of 29 per 100,000 residents (Virginia Department of Health, 2023).
In 2023, the Virginia Department of Health reported an HIV incidence of 30 per 100,000 residents compared to a statewide rate of 10 per 100,000.
“This award from the Harvest Foundation will truly save lives,” said Danny Clawson, executive director of the VHRC. “As funding for substance use and recovery services becomes increasingly unreliable, partnerships with local foundations that are grounded in the community are essential for continued growth. While other service organizations are closing offices and laying off staff, The Harvest Foundation is helping to secure the future of VHRC and ensure that our life-saving resources remain available in our community for years to come.”
