White Sulphur Springs, WV — On June 1 and 2, the Greenbrier Resort was the site of the second annual GameChanger Golf Classic , Prevention Luncheon and Prevention Education Dinner. The event marked a year of remarkable progress for the non-profit organization.
Country music superstar, Brad Paisley joined West Virginia Governor Jim Justice and United States Senators Manchin and Capito for the fundraiser to support the GameChanger Opioid and Substance Misuse initiative for West Virginia Schools.
Paisley delivered the event’s keynote address. Speaking from the heart, he described the impact the opioid crisis has had on his hometown and his belief that progress can be made. “GameChanger is going to impact not only the state of West Virginia but the nation”, Paisley said. I am so proud to have been asked to be a part of GameChanger and to help further this Initiative.”Paisley followed his keynote with the debut of his new song about the opioid crisis in West Virginia and closed out the phenomenal evening by performing the John Denver hit “Take Me Home Country Roads”.
Former NFL Quarterback Ryan Leaf served as the event’s emcee. Leaf who experienced issues with opioid misuse, resulting in his incarceration, now devotes his time to educating the nation’s young people about the dangers of opioid and substance misuse.
A video shown at the event detailed the progress GameChanger has made since the inaugural, 2021 Golf Classic. Principal among the accomplishments was the signing of an agreement with the world renown, Hazelden/Betty Ford Foundation to provide Prevention Education Curriculum in West Virginia Schools. Since it’s signing in November 2021, 12 pilot schools have been approved to begin the program this fall with a goal of establishing it in 681 West Virginia Schools by the fall of 2027.
Other GameChanger milestones described in the video included the signing of a collaborative agreement with the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to bring a GameChanger version of its“Operation Prevention” and “One Pill Can Kill” programs to West Virginia Schools beginning this fall, and the opening of the DEA’s, “Drugs, Costs and Consequences Interactive Exhibit” at the West Virginia Cultural Center this September.
While the Greenbrier event was a night to celebrate progress, GameChanger Executive Director, Joe Boczek noted that, “The road to success is always under construction and there’s much more that needs to be done to eradicate opioid and substance misuse. Together we will change theGame!”
