Reducing Overdoses and
Improving Community Health
in South Pittsburgh
SUPPORTING THE
HEALTH AND WELL- BEING
OF SOUTH PITTSBURGH COMMUNTIES :
Welcome to the South Pittsburgh Opioid Action Coalition (SPOAC), where we work to reduce overdoses and improve community health in South Pittsburgh.
Our director, Lance Rhoades, and our coalition members are committed to evidence-based and compassion-centered projects that
remove service barriers, increase access to treatment, and reduce stigma for community members struggling with substance
use disorders.
Rev. Lance Rhoades
Lance Rhoades is the director of
SPOAC and a leading expert in the
community engagement.
With over 20 years of experience
working with the Pittsburgh community, Lance is committed to
building partnerships and
strengthening communities to
improve public health outcomes.
SPOAC IMPACTS THE FOLLOWING
SOUTH PITTSBURGH COMMUNITIES:
Brookline!
Brookline is a historic neighborhood in the southern part of Pittsburgh, with a strong community spirit and a rich cultural heritage.
Beechview
Beechview
UPCOMING EVENTS:
General Meeting
- Fourth Thursday of the Month
10:30 AM – 12:00 PMSeptember Meetings are skipped in leui of everyone’s busy recovery month schedules.
Education, Stigma,
and Harm Reduction
Subcommittee
- First Monday of the Month
(Except September) - 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Community
Engagement Subcommittee
- Second Thursday of the Month
(Except September) - 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Executive Committee
(Invite Only)
- Monday following the General Meeting
- 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Our Goals and Strategies:
Increase access to substance use disorder treatment and support services in South Pittsburgh communities.
Reduce stigma and discrimination related
to substance use disorders in South Pittsburgh communities.
Plan and implement community events such as naloxone training
and distribution.
Engage with community members, professionals, and faith leaders to promote SUD-related topics and recruit to
the cause.
Conduct marketing, digital outreach, and membership
recruitment with a specific focus on reaching key communities
(faith and BIPOC).
As members of the South Pittsburgh Opioid Action Coalition (SPOAC), we agree to work collaboratively and value our differing perspectives and ideas as strengths. We respect one another’s voices and avoid politics and politically polarizing discussions that could hamper progress.
We approach sensitive conversations with respect and the desire to learn and strengthen our efforts. We also respect the confidentiality of the coalition by not sharing sensitive information, data, or proposals with outside parties, except to advance our shared goals.
Finally, we are committed to being present for meetings and events and taking action to support the coalition, using positive, destigmatizing language to acknowledge the humanity of every individual.
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