LCCC Marks National Collegiate Recovery Week with Opioid Settlement Funding

Luzerne County Community College hosts event showcasing support for students in recovery on campus

Apr. 14, 2026 at 10:35pm

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A minimalist, neon-outlined figure with arms raised in a gesture of triumph, representing the resilience and energy of overcoming addiction, against a dark background.A campus-based recovery program offers hope and support to students battling addiction in their community.Nanticoke Today

Luzerne County Community College (LCCC) hosted a special event to mark National Collegiate Recovery Week, highlighting how opioid settlement money from 2021 is funding support for students in recovery on their Nanticoke campus. The event featured student stories, interactive displays, and lessons from community partners to celebrate those in recovery and raise awareness about addiction in the local area.

Why it matters

The opioid epidemic has devastated many communities, including the Nanticoke area. By using settlement funds to provide on-campus recovery resources, LCCC is taking an important step to support students struggling with addiction and demonstrate that recovery is possible.

The details

LCCC's event showcased the college's commitment to supporting students in recovery through the use of opioid settlement funds. The event featured student testimonials, interactive displays, and presentations from community partners to highlight the resources and programming available on campus. Organizers said the goal was both to celebrate students in recovery and to raise awareness about the prevalence of addiction in the local area.

  • LCCC hosted the event on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 to mark National Collegiate Recovery Week.
  • The opioid settlement funds were received by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 2021.

The players

Luzerne County Community College (LCCC)

A public community college located in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania that is using opioid settlement funds to support students in recovery on campus.

Melissa Wassel

The Director of the Center for Student Support and Intervention at LCCC, who organized the event to celebrate students in recovery and raise awareness about addiction in the local area.

Jacob Sachleben

A Broadcast Audio Video Communications student at LCCC who shared his story of recovery at the event.

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What they’re saying

“One, we're celebrating and recognizing our students that are in recovery because we want them to know that we stand with them. The college is committed to their successes, we're also doing it because we want to bring awareness.”

— Melissa Wassel, Director, Center for Student Support and Intervention, LCCC

“There is a lot of addicitions in this area, and to show that recovery is possible, recovery is something that is more widespread than you think.”

— Jacob Sachleben, Broadcast Audio Video Communications Student, LCCC

What’s next

LCCC plans to continue using the opioid settlement funds to expand its recovery support services and programming for students on campus in the coming years.

The takeaway

By leveraging opioid settlement money to provide on-campus recovery resources, LCCC is taking a proactive approach to supporting students struggling with addiction and demonstrating that recovery is possible, even in communities hit hard by the opioid crisis.