The increasing trend of drug addiction in Virginia is contributing to multiple adverse public health effects, including but not limited to increasing numbers of blood borne pathogen infections (e.g., Hepatitis C), overdoses requiring emergency care, and deaths. In 2016, a public health emergency was declared. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) remains committed to preventing injury and death from addiction; preventing and reducing infectious disease related to addiction; promoting efforts to prevent and reduce the disease of addiction; and using data and public health surveillance to inform prevention and response efforts.