Some of the people in attendance at the The West Virginia Drug Intervention Institute and the West Virginia Hope in Action Alliance workshop in Charleston. (Photo Provided)

CHARLESTON — The West Virginia Drug Intervention Institute and the West Virginia Hope in Action Alliance held a workshop on Aug. 27 at the state Capitol Building.

Entitled “Narrative Disruption: Sharing Your Public Narrative for Connection, Power and Change,” the workshop was held to equip local community leaders with the skills needed to effectively advocate with government and other groups, said a press release from Reed Byers – Change Agent LLC.

The eight-hour training was conducted by lead facilitator Joseph Green, Motivational Speaker and Owner of LMS Voice at the University of Charleston.

The training was intentionally scheduled the morning of Saturday, Aug. 27, so that as participants honed their public speaking skills throughout the training, a few would be selected to share their stories across the Kanawha River at the State Capitol during West Virginia Overdose Awareness Day.

Overdose Awareness Day returned for its eighth year and was co-organized by recovery advocate JoAnna Vance, who is also running for election in the House of Delegates for District 43 as a Democrat, and Charleston District 18 City Councilman Bobby Brown and his wife CeCe Brown.

Reed Byers, left, of Reed Byers - Change Agent LLC, stands with Charleston Ward 18 Council Member Bobby Brown, middle, and his wife CeCe Brown, right, outside of the state Capitol Building in Charleston. (Photo Provided)

The Browns lost their son, Ryan, to addiction eight years ago and founded the organization Ryan’s Voice to promote “Hope in Action” while helping families heal and communities grow.

Delegate Mike Pushkin opened the event with a proclamation from Governor Jim Justice. Charleston Mayor Amy Goodwin followed with a proclamation and remarks about the challenge the community is facing with substance use.

Individuals who have been impacted by addiction and overdose shared powerful stories of overcoming, service to the community and calls to action for solutions to issues, said the press release.

Two awards were presented during the ceremony. One went to Mid-Ohio Valley recovery advocate Reed Byers who represented Wood County at the Public Narrative Workshop and Overdose Event.

Byers was awarded the first W.Va. Speaks Award for being an ally or advocate who has exhibited successful work on behalf of the W.Va. Recovery and Family Community.

Joseph Green, left, motivational speaker and owner of LMS Voice at the University of Charleston, stands with Reed Byers, middle, of Reed Byers - Change Agent LLC, and JoAnna Vance, recovery advocate, outside of the state Capitol Building in Charleston. (Photo Provided)

Peer Recovery Support Specialist Amber Blankenship was awarded the second annual W.Va. Rise Award as a peer in her field who went above and beyond the expected call of duty.

A variety of different healthcare, education, nonprofit and community organizations were set up distributing information, resources and naloxone. More than 300 people were in attendance.