Kinesiology, Recreation & Sport

The WKU College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) is proud to announce the establishment of its new Collegiate Recovery Resource Center (CRRC), a comprehensive, trauma-informed support program designed to serve students impacted by opioid use disorder and other substance use challenges.

The launch of the CRRC comes at a critical time for Kentucky. According to the 2024 Kentucky Drug Overdose Fatality Report, 1,410 Kentuckians lost their lives to drug overdose last year, with fentanyl present in over 62% of deaths. Nearly 20% of overdose fatalities were individuals aged 18–34 (college-age students), and nearly half were between ages 18–44 when including nontraditional students. Emergency Medical Services data show that among people with known opioid use disorder in Kentucky, one-third are ages 18–34 (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2022). These realities highlight the urgent need for accessible, campus-based support.

“Our students deserve a campus environment where recovery is supported, stigma is reduced, and help is easy to access,” said Dr. Whitney Harper, Associate Professor of Social Work and CRRC Coordinator. “The CRRC is intentionally designed to connect students with compassionate, evidence-based services that can change and save lives.”

To read the full article, click the link below.

https://www.wku.edu/news/articles/index.php?view=article&articleid=12808