The Great American Smokeout, organized by the American Cancer Society, is an annual intervention day full of resources and support for quitting tobacco products. The UAB Wellness Promotion, part of Student Affairs, a student-facing division, hosts UAB’s event, and has a slightly different approach. The Breathe Better Bash is focused on students and the prevention of vaping and other tobacco product use among students. CAPPI was one of the UAB partners in this event which included Student Health Services, Student Counseling Services and Tobacco-Free UAB. CAPPI volunteers set up a table in the North Green Plaza to directly connect with students by providing free giveaways along with educational materials and smoking cessation research information on November 21, 2024.

CAPPI recently provided over 100 naloxone kits for the Addiction Prevention Coalition's (APC) ONEbox initiative. Each ONEbox contains a naloxone kit, PPE, and a step-by-step training video for assessing an overdose situation and administering naloxone. ONEbox will be placed in public and community locations like gas stations, bars, and other locations that sign up for this important initiative.

APCBham ONEbox Opens an external link.

Members of CAPPI assembled infection and overdose prevention kits, including gauze, antibiotic cream and naloxone kits, to distribute to Birmingham’s unstably housed community members. Over 100 kits were distributed. CAPPI is committed to continuing to reduce the spread of diseases such as hepatitis, HIV, and bacterial infections as well as to prevent overdose deaths.

CAPPI has been a co-sponsor for the annual End Addiction Walk hosted by Addiction Prevention Coalition. The free event was held at the City Walk BHAM amphitheater to raise awareness and funds to help combat the substance use epidemic in Alabama and in recognition of the individuals we have lost, those in recovery, and those who have yet to find recovery.

CAPPI co-sponsors the End Addiction Bham Walk each year

End Addiction Bham Walk Event Opens an external link.

The 2024 Rally for Recovery hosted by BHAM Loves Recovery was a free public event held at the UAB Mini Park on September 7, 2024. The event promoted addiction awareness, provided recovery resources, celebrated those in recovery, and commemorated those lost to addiction. CAPPI, in conjunction with UAB’s 1917 Clinic, was able to distribute information regarding our mission, our research opportunities, and promoted sexual health safety at our booth. It was a great opportunity for community engagement and education regarding treatments for addiction and pain. The event also connected CAPPI with other organizations in the area to reinforce our partnerships with those who help individuals seeking addiction, pain, and health-related resources.

Rally for Recovery Opens an external link.

Save-a-Life Free Naloxone Day, in partnership with SOAR of WV, the Rescue standing committee of the Alabama Opioid Overdose and Addiction Council, Recovery Resource Center, Beacon Recovery Clinic, and the Jefferson County Department of Health, was an outreach event focused on preventing opioid overdose deaths by providing free naloxone kits, a medication that can reverse the effects of an overdose. In Birmingham, tables were set up around various pharmacies and other locations where the public could receive kits and training on how to administer naloxone. The event aimed to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and empower people to take action to save lives during overdose emergencies.

Thank you to Dr. Leah Leisch for including the Center for Addiction and Pain Prevention and Intervention in this event and giving us the opportunity to participate, and to Mills Pharmacy for providing the space for our outreach tables!