Tomorrow, May 7th, 2024, is National Fentanyl Awareness Day. Fentanyl is an incredibly potent synthetic opioid. It poses grave danger to our youth. It’s crucial to understand its strength and the risks it carries. Fentanyl is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Even a tiny amount can be lethal.
There are two forms of fentanyl: medical-grade and illicit. Medical-grade fentanyl is manufactured and prescribed legally. For example, it can be used to treat severe pain, like that associated with cancer. Illicit (aka forbidden) fentanyl is widely available due to its low cost, unregulated manufacturing and high potency. Fentanyl is often used as an additive to other drugs. This means that a person who thinks they are taking heroin, cocaine, or methamphetamine could actually be exposed to fentanyl. Fentanyl can also be found in counterfeit prescription drugs. This illicit form has led to a tripling of overdose deaths among teenagers in recent years.
This crisis demands action, and education is key! Parents should talk to their kids about the dangers of fentanyl, and the risks of exposure. We must avoid stigmatizing drug use and instead focus on the severe risks associated with illicitly manufactured fentanyl.
Preparation is vital to save lives.
- Know the signs of overdose
- Carry naloxone
- Use fentanyl test strips
Understanding Virginia’s Good Samaritan law can encourage action in emergencies. This law protects the person who tries to help someone suspected of overdosing (under certain circumstances). If you see someone overdosing, call 911 immediately. If you or someone you know has a drug abuse problem, call 988. This crisis hotline provides for free and confidential support.
Learn about support and services related to drug overdoses at: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/overdose-prevention/
Here are some Fentanyl awareness events you can attend:
Virtual
Richmond and Henrico Health Districts offer virtual REVIVE each week via Zoom. REVIVE! is Virginia’s statewide opioid overdose and naloxone education program, which covers recognizing signs of an opioid overdose and how to respond using naloxone.
Weekly Virtual Training
- Tuesdays, 6:00-7:00 pm
- Thursdays, 1:00-2:00 pm
Virtual training participants can arrange for free, contactless naloxone dispensing in the Metro Richmond Area. Go to the REVIVE! Registration. (You will not receive a confirmation email; meeting link is below.)
To join: Go to the meeting at zoomgov.com/my/rhhdnaloxone
In-Person
📅 When: May 6, 11am-2pm
📌 Where: Samuels Public Library – 330 E Criser Rd., Front Royal, VA
✍️ What: Naloxone training, fentanyl test strips, and sharing recovery resources
📞 Contact: Katherine Schroeder, Katherine.schroeder@vdh.virginia.gov, 540-486-6627
📅 When: May 6, 11am-2pm
📌 Where: Handley Regional Library – 100 W. Picadilly St., Winchester, VA
✍️ What: Naloxone training, fentanyl test strips, and sharing recovery resources
📞 Contact: Katherine Schroeder, Katherine.schroeder@vdh.virginia.gov, 540-486-6627
📅 When: May 6, 11am-2pm
📌 Where: Blue Ridge Hospice Thrift Store – 115 W. Main St., Berryville, VA
✍️ What: Naloxone training, fentanyl test strips, and sharing recovery resources
📞 Contact: Katherine Schroeder, Katherine.schroeder@vdh.virginia.gov, 540-486-6627
📅 When: May 7
📌 Where: Government Center – 12000 Government Center Pkwy, Fairfax, VA
✍️ What: Hosting a Rapid REVIVE! Table event at the Board of Supervisors meeting scheduled on 05/07 at the Government Center. Also holding an REVIVE! Training event specifically for Fentanyl Awareness Day sponsored by the Fairfax Prevention Coalition.
📞 Contact: Raymond Paden, Fairfax CSB and community coalition
📅 When: May 7
📌 Where: Hampton Newport News CSB
✍️ What: Peers and Prevention Services are collaborating with a REVIVE! Training on the CSB campus. Open to the community.
📞 Contact: Hampton Newport News CSB, 757-788-0300
📅 When: May 7, 10am-2pm
📌 Where: Staunton Public Library – 1 Churchville Ave, Staunton, VA
✍️ What: VCSB will be partnering with the Central Shenandoah Health District and the Staunton Public Library to host a walk-up/drive-up Rapid REVIVE! training event.
📞 Contact: Valley CSB, 540-887-3200
📅 When: May 7
📌 Where: Chesapeake Bay CSB
✍️ What: REVIVE! Training
📞 Contact: Chesapeake CSB, (757) 547-9334
📅 When: May 7, 11am-1pm
📌 Where: Four Truths Recovery House – 1102 Staunton Ave NW, Roanoke, VA
✍️ What: Open house of new men’s recovery housing
📞 Contact: Christine Wright, christine@bradleyfreeclinic.com
📅 When: May 7, 11am-3pm
📌 Where: Friends of the Barbara Rose Johns Farmville/Prince Edward Community Library – 1303 W 3rd St, Farmville, VA
✍️ What: REVIVE! Training, information and resource sharing
📞 Contact: None provided
📅 When: May 7, 12pm-2pm
📌 Where: Lucks Field – 143 N. 20th St, Richmond, VA
✍️ What: By attending, residents learn more about the deadly consequences of fentanyl, which is 50 times stronger than heroin. Also, residents will learn how to identify and respond to an opioid overdose; administer Narcan, a life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose when given on time; and connect with resources to support individuals and families. Following the Health Fair, community leaders will participate in a Community Clean-Up near Lucks Field from 2 PM – 3 PM.
📞 Contact: Tamara Jones, tamara.jones@vdh.virginia.gov, 804-774-9776
📅 When: May 7, 6:30-7:30pm
📌 Where: Midlothian Library – 100 Millworks Crossing, Midlothian, VA
✍️ What: REVIVE! Training
📞 Contact: (804) 768-7907
📅 When: May 8, 10am
📌 Where: Fairfax County Health Dept, 10777 Main St, Fairfax, VA
✍️ What: REVIVE training for Fairfax County Health Dept employees
📞 Contact: Amanda Price, amanda.price@fairfaxcounty.gov, 571-235-9286
📅 When: May 8, 5pm-7pm
📌 Where: Goochland Public Schools Wellness Night – 3250-A River Road West, Goochland, VA
✍️ What: The Chickahominy Health District will be tabling during Goochland County Public School’s Wellness Night event and will offer rapid REVIVE! and naloxone (as well as other information about health district services/resources)
📞 Contact: (804) 556-5630
📅 When: May 9, 11am-2pm
📌 Where: CVS – 221 W Reservoir Rd., Woodstock, VA
✍️ What: Naloxone training, fentanyl test strips, and sharing recovery resources
📞 Contact: Katherine Schroeder, Katherine.schroeder@vdh.virginia.gov, 540-486-6627
📅 When: May 9, 11am-2pm
📌 Where: CVS – 1404 W 211 Bypass, Luray, VA
✍️ What: Naloxone training, fentanyl test strips, and sharing recovery resources
📞 Contact: Katherine Schroeder, Katherine.schroeder@vdh.virginia.gov, 540-486-6627
📅 When: May 9, 11am-3pm
📌 Where: Southwest Virginia Legal Aid Society – 851 French Moore Jr. Blvd., Abingdon, VA
✍️ What: Naloxone training and sharing recovery resources
📞 Contact: Donna Surber, donna.surber@vdh.virginia.gov
📅 When: May 9, 12pm-2pm
📌 Where: Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford and Campbell Health Departments
✍️ What: Rapid REVIVE! Training. Walk-ins welcome!
📞 Contact: Kimberlee Foster, kimberlee.foster@vdh.virginia.gov, 434-477-5976
📅 When: May 9, 1pm
📌 Where: Eva Walker Park – Alexandria Pike & North Street, Warrenton, VA
✍️ What: Supporting a rally with Northern Virginia Moms Fighting Fentanyl Poisoning. First Lady Youngkin will be attending this event.
📞 Contact: Alan Rassmussen, Encompass; Marg Perkins is the coordinator of this event.
📅 When: May 11, 11am-1pm
📌 Where: Goochland Cares – 2999 River Rd W, Goochland, VA
✍️ What: Goochland Cares is having a shoe donation event – the health dept. will offer Rapid REVIVE! outside the front of Goochland Cares, weather permitting. Expected attendance is 230 people, but will be arriving in pre-assigned waves/groups.
📞 Contact: Goochland Cares (Heather Buzzard, hbuzzard@GoochlandCares.org); Chickahominy Health District (Marissa Gernon, marissa.gernon@vdh.virginia.gov and 804-801-6775)
📅 When: May 21, 10am
📌 Where: Fairfax County Health Dept, 10777 Main St, Fairfax, VA
✍️ What: REVIVE training for Fairfax County Health Dept employees
📞 Contact: Amanda Price, amanda.price@fairfaxcounty.gov, 571-235-9286