National Recovery Month is a national observance held every September to educate Americans that substance use treatment and mental health services can enable those with mental and substance use disorders to live healthy and rewarding lives. Now in its 31st year, Recovery Month celebrates the gains made by those living in recovery. As the lead agency in the Healing Allegany consortium — a three-year, HRSA-funded initiative to improve opioid prevention, treatment, and recovery services in Allegany County — AHEC West invites area residents, businesses, and government agencies to “Go Purple” in September in recognition of National Recovery Month.

Maryland Area Health Education Center West, also known as “AHEC West,” is a rural, community-based organization serving Appalachian counties in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. To fulfill our mission to improve access to and promote quality in health care through education and collaboration, we partner with local, state, federal, and private organizations working toward mutual goals of a fair national distribution of health professionals and the elimination of health disparities due to rurality, poverty, race, and culture.