The Scope of the Challenge
Recent data paints a sobering picture of the opioid crisis’s impact on the Mobile area. In 2023 alone, Mobile County recorded 132 opioid-related overdose deaths, while Alabama’s overall opioid prescription rate of 74.5 per 100 people remains 88.6% above the national average – the highest in the United States. Mobile County’s rate is even higher at 92.3 prescriptions per 100 residents.
“When you consider these are the number of prescriptions, not the raw number of pills, a truly staggering number of opioid pills are being prescribed in the Mobile area,” notes Dr. Manimaran Ramani, Professor of Pediatrics and Chief of Neonatology at USA Children and Women’s Hospital.
The crisis extends beyond statistics, affecting families across all demographics and economic levels. Healthcare providers report increasing numbers of infants born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), while homeless service providers note that a substantial proportion of their clients struggle with opioid addiction.
A New Model Emerges
In response to this crisis, Mobile has launched Project Persevere, a groundbreaking initiative that differs from traditional single-focus approaches. Instead of treating opioid addiction as an isolated health issue, the program addresses what organizers call the “social determinants of health” – including housing, employment, mental health, and community support systems.
“We’ve learned that you can’t just treat the addiction,” explains Caroline Etherton, President of the Helios Alliance, which coordinates the initiative. “You have to address the whole person and create a community environment that supports long-term recovery.”
The program represents a $2.2 million investment in evidence-based solutions, funding 15 local organizations that collectively address every stage of opioid use – from prevention to long-term recovery support.
Four-Pronged Strategy
Project Persevere’s approach focuses on four critical areas:
Treatment and Recovery: Organizations like Mobile Metro Treatment Center and Franklin Primary Health Clinic are expanding access to medication-assisted treatment and removing transportation barriers that prevent people from accessing care. The Mobile Adult Drug Court Program is providing therapeutic alternatives to incarceration for individuals whose criminal charges involve substance abuse.
Prevention and Education: Mobile United is implementing a peer-to-peer counseling program in local high schools, while the Drug Education Council and the INTO LIGHT Project are utilizing innovative approaches to reduce stigma and provide evidence-based prevention education.
Survival and Harm Reduction: Multiple organizations are distributing naloxone (Narcan) kits and training community members in overdose response. The goal is to ensure that every potential overdose becomes a survivable event that can lead to treatment engagement.
Coordination and Communication: Perhaps most innovative, the program features a comprehensive media campaign aimed at reducing stigma and connecting individuals to resources before crises escalate into fatal outcomes.
Early Results and Innovations
While comprehensive outcome data is still being collected, early indicators suggest the community-driven approach is gaining traction. Several participating organizations report increased engagement from individuals seeking help.
Waterfront Rescue Mission, which operates the largest homeless shelter for men in the Mobile area, has expanded its Recovery Readiness program specifically to address opioid addiction among the homeless population. “We’re seeing more people willing to engage with our services because they know we’re part of a larger network of support,” notes Daniel Brown, Recovery Readiness Chaplain.
Similarly, Franklin Primary Health Clinic reports success with its mobile outreach program that brings treatment directly to underserved communities. “Transportation is often reported as a barrier to treatment, especially for individuals identified as underserved and high risk,” explains Charles White, CEO of Franklin Primary Health Clinic.
Addressing Root Causes
What sets Mobile’s approach apart is its emphasis on addressing underlying social and economic factors that contribute to addiction. The Boys and Girls Club of South Alabama is focusing on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and mental health support for youth, recognizing that untreated trauma often leads to substance abuse later in life.
“According to research, there’s greater evidence that substance dependence reflects self-medication of mood and anxiety disorders than that mood and anxiety disorders are substance-induced,” explains a representative from the Boys and Girls Club program.
Innovative Partnerships
The initiative has created unusual partnerships across sectors. The Mobile Veterans Treatment Court, which serves justice-involved veterans, works closely with recovery housing providers and peer mentors. USA Children and Women’s Hospital has developed a comprehensive program for pregnant women with opioid use disorder, focusing on keeping families together while providing treatment.
“This project, if funded, will serve approximately 180-200 families who are in the underserved community of Mobile from all seven districts,” notes Dr. Ramani, whose program serves as the safety net provider for the entire lower Alabama region.
Legislative and Policy Support
The initiative has garnered attention from state policymakers, with State Representative Frances Holk-Jones endorsing the model for potential statewide expansion. “This bottom-up, community-centered approach could serve as a template for other cities nationwide,” Rep. Holk-Jones noted during a recent stakeholder meeting.
The program’s emphasis on data collection and evidence-based decision-making has also attracted interest from researchers and policy experts who see Mobile’s coordinated approach as a potential model for other communities.
Challenges Remain
Despite early promise, significant challenges persist. The sheer scope of the crisis means that even comprehensive programs can often feel insufficient in addressing the need. Many organizations report waiting lists for services, and the stigma surrounding addiction continues to prevent some individuals from seeking help.
“Opioid addiction is everywhere. It affects all races and income brackets, and it shows no signs of slowing down,” observes Daniel Brown from Waterfront Rescue Mission. “There is no such thing as a ‘typical’ opioid addict – it impacts people from all walks of life.”
Funding sustainability also remains a concern, as opioid settlement funds, while substantial, are finite. Organizations are already developing plans for diversifying funding sources and demonstrate measurable outcomes to attract ongoing support.
Looking Forward
Plans are underway to expand the model beyond the City of Mobile. Mobile County has committed to supporting a countywide initiative, and discussions are underway with Baldwin County officials about regional expansion.
A major conference, “Reimagining Opioid Abatement: Challenging Conventional Wisdom,” is planned for October 2025 to share lessons learned and best practices with other communities facing similar challenges.
“Many things give me hope in the fight against this crisis: the growing awareness about opioid addiction, the increasing number of quality programs offering assistance, and the collaborative efforts among organizations working together to support our community,” reflects Brown.
Community Impact
Perhaps most significantly, the initiative is altering how the community perceives and addresses addiction. Rather than viewing it solely as a criminal justice or individual moral issue, Project Persevere frames addiction as a public health challenge requiring community-wide solutions.
“At its heart, this proposal is an intense and rigorous research project with messaging and media components. This type of evidence-based approach, while often overlooked, is essential to an effective abatement plan,” notes Dr. Steve Loyd, a nationally recognized addiction medicine expert who has consulted on the program.
As Mobile’s comprehensive approach continues to develop, it offers both hope for the local community and potential lessons for cities across the nation grappling with similar challenges. The program’s emphasis on coordination, evidence-based practices, and addressing root causes represents a significant evolution in how communities can respond to the opioid crisis.
For individuals or families affected by opioid use disorder, Project Persevere represents more than just another program – it’s a community-wide commitment to ensuring that help is available, accessible, and coordinated across all the services a person might need.
This article is part of ongoing coverage of opioid abatement efforts in Mobile County. For more information about participating organizations and available resources, visit projectpersevere.com.
