Athens HOPE: Helping Overcome substance use disorders through Prevention and Education is a community group founded in 2017 to aid in the fight against the opioid epidemic. The group is committed to preventing substance use disorders by educating children, parents and college students about the realities of substance use and encouraging treatment by reducing the stigma surrounding addiction.

Founded through a university/community partnership between the Athens City-County Health Department, Ohio University’s College of Health Sciences and Professions and OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital, the group now encompasses a number of area educators, health professionals and local leaders.