You can help bring Christmas joy to West Virginia families recovering from opioid and substance misuse. Please click the “Donate” tab above to make a tax-deductible contribution. Game Changer’s, “Change Their Holiday” program provides families in recovery with presents for the kids, gift cards and a turkey dinner with all the fixings on Christmas Day.

Read  life-changing stories from 'Change Their Holiday’ Recipients.

Rebecca Shaver

Clarksburg, WV

I would like to thank everyone involved with the GAME CHANGER and Shannon from Jobs and Hope for such an amazing gift. Receiving the things did allowed me to purchase much need things for my home, allowed me to get my son things to have a Christmas, and I still have more left for future needs. We have really enjoyed our trips to McDonalds, which would not have been so frequent if it weren’t for my gift cards. The gas cards have been helping me to go to my Mom’s and help her more often than I could afford to go before. Thank you for making our lives easier, brighter and more enjoyable. A special Thank you to Shannon for always being such a huge help to me always.

Sincerely,

Rebecca Shaver

David Funk

Jackson County, WV

I am so grateful for the amazing assistance I got last year from jobs and hope through Game Changers for Christmas. They really have no idea how they saved Christmas for my children and took a huge burden off of my chest thank you so much ....David Funk

Sobriety date 12-15-16 God is great!!!

Jodi Denkenberger-Miller

Clarksburg, WV

To whom this may concern,

I just want to sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your generosity and help. Through this holiday and epidemic, it has helped my family tremendously. By being able to go grocery shopping, helping with my kids Christmas shopping, and having gas to be able to get around. This year has been very stressful for many. And I am beyond blessed that you all have helped me in so many ways. I couldn't thank you enough. So again, thank you tremendously.

Sincerely,

Jodi Denkenberger-Miller

Rebecca (Gabby) Richison

Jackson County, WV

I was dealing with so much. I didn’t get to work, due to my daughter having COVID and then on top of that I went into premature labor. It was almost Christmas and I had no paycheck. I barely had gas to get to ruby to see my baby. When Shannon called and told me I got something for Christmas, I never imagined it to be such a big help. Once she told me what it was, I could of cried I was so happy. I had money to buy gifts and I even had gas to top it off. On top of even that much, I had coffee money. I was beyond grateful for it. I thanked God several, several times for them and for picking me of all people. Thank you, Shannon, and thank you to the Game Changer program!

ENDORSED BY GOVERNOR JIM JUSTICE: Read more about it here!

Youth and young adults are choosing to take a stand and change the conversation, change their futures and Change the Game related to their physical and emotional health and wellbeing.
The Game Changer Opioid Awareness and Substance Misuse Summit. Watch the video below.
Be a Game Changer
West Virginia Game Changers is an initiative designed to educate, support and empower our youth to make healthy choices as they prepare to be our leaders of tomorrow. Our youth and their peers will help influence positive community development. Our goal is to encourage our youth to lead by example through healthy lifestyles, improve the future, and make a difference in the state of West Virginia.

Endorsed by Governor Jim Justice, WV Game Changers’ mission is clear – inspire our youth to help change the game in West Virginia. Fueled by what is believed to be the largest Public-Private Coalition in the nation, state departments, agencies, and organizations are teaming with the private business sector to meet not only the opioid and substance misuse issue in the state but vaping, tobacco and alcohol misuse, teen suicide and the state’s bursting-at-the-seams foster parenting program. In addition, programs geared toward proper nutrition leading to a healthier lifestyle. Whatever your interests may be, and whatever that inspires you to become – be a game-changer. Now is the time to stand up and lead the next generation of change in West Virginia.

West Virginia Teens are Changing the Game!

These GameChangers come from all walks of life and every corner of our state.

GameChangers in Organized Sports
GameChangers  in Scholastic Achievement
GameChangers for Individual Health & Wellbeing
GameChangers for Family, Faith & Community
GameChangers for Self

It’s all about choices.

Because choices can Change the Game.

West Virginia high school kids have come a long way! Looking at the numbers, they’re already Changing the Game – and they
have been for years.

Youth have been Changing the Game with healthy decisions. As new challenges emerge – like the Opioid Epidemic – they need real facts and support to continue making good choices.

GameChangers is here to empower WV  youth – with straight-up facts and  information, solid support and major amplification of their voice as they work to Change the Game in their local communities, statewide and beyond.

Today:

  • 91% Wear Seatbelts 91% 91%
  • Only 6% are Frequent Smokers 6% 6%
  • Only 28% Drink Alcohol 28% 28%
  • Only 26% Drink at Least One Soda a Day 26% 26%
  • Only 18% Used Marijuana in Past 30 Days 18% 18%

Compared to:

  • 66% 25 years ago 66% 66%
  • 20% 25 years ago 20% 20%
  • 53% 25 years ago 53% 53%
  • 46% 18 years ago 46% 46%
  • 29% 18 years ago 29% 29%
GameChangers are starting to tell their stories!

As the GameChanger movement gains momentum, we want to collect more real stories to showcase GameChangers throughout the state on traditional and social media.

Coming Soon!

Check back for updates on how you can share your story.

Opioid dependence can happen in just FIVE DAYS.

It can happen to anybody.

While many people take Prescription Opioids as directed under a doctor’s care, there are risks that we should know.

Risks include:

Taking Opioids puts you at risk for dependence and addiction
Opioids affect the brain’s “reward circuit” and flood the brain with the chemical messenger dopamine.
Dopamine surges encourage you to repeat the unhealthy behavior of taking drugs – which can lead to dependence and addiction.
Addiction is a disease – a primary, chronic disease of the brain’s reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry – it’s called “Substance Use Disorder” (SUD) or “Opioid Use Disorder” (OUD), and it can be treated.

More than 115 Americans die every day from Opioid overdose.
West Virginia has the highest drug overdose death rate in the nation.
Prescription drug misuse is highest among those ages 18 to 25.
80% of heroin users started with prescription pain killers (aka Opioids)
Types of Prescription Opioids:
Oxycodone (OxyContin®, Percocet®, Percodan®)Hydrocodone (Vicodin®, Lortab®)Diphenoxylate (Lomotil®)Morphine (Kadian®, Avinza®)CodeineFentanyl (Duragesic®)Propoxyphene (Darvon®)Hydromorphone (Dilaudid®)Meperidine (Demerol®)Methadone (Dolophine®, Methadose®)
Citations: National Institute on Drug Abuse for Teens; National Institute on Drug Abuse

Become a GameChanger!

Stand up and stand out.

Fact: Most youth and young adults are NOT involved in substance misuse and other unhealthy behaviors.

In Fact: The majority of WV youth are making a positive difference.

GameChangers is here to amplify these positive choices, voices and actions – to Change the Game, improve the future and make a difference for WV.

What is GameChangers?

GameChangers is the youth-led prevention, peer-to-peer influence, positive youth development and community enhancement organization designed to educate,
support and empower teens to make healthy choices and become leaders.

While we’re focused on the Opioid Epidemic, GameChangers have a positive impact on much, much more.

Become a GameChanger

In Your Local Community
If you’re a GameChanger – or want to become one – check back here to find local groups, sign up to win GameChangers swag, gift cards, scholarship opportunities and more!

At the Statewide Level – Apply for “TAC”
TAC stands for “Teen Advisory Council,” which is a representative group of youth from across the state working together to help define, shape and guide the entire GameChanger organization.

It’s an awesome responsibility and a great opportunity!

BECOME A GAME CHANGER

Getting Help – can really Change the Game.

Here’s where to find it.

If you or someone you know may need help with drug dependence or addiction, these trusted resources can help.

GameChangers is here to draw attention to the fantastic groups and organizations working with youth and young adults in local communities. Listed below are
several of these outstanding resources.

Recovery Resources:

helpandhopewv.org
stigmafreewv.org
preventionfirstwv.org
thetruth.com/opioids
www.wvde.us