August 28, 2025
Media Contact: Kimi Stevens, kimi.stevens@vdh.virginia.gov
The Chesapeake Health Department Provides Services to Reduce Overdose Deaths
International Overdose Awareness Day is August 31
CHESAPEAKE, Va. – August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day, a day to remember and grieve loved ones who lost their lives to drug overdoses. The Chesapeake Health Department is a key community partner in the fight to prevent drug overdoses by providing support, encouraging recovery and spreading overdose prevention awareness.
Fatal drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in Virginia. In 2024, 1,403 Virginians tragically lost their lives to drug overdoses. Chesapeake has experienced 223 local emergency room overdose visits with ten confirmed fatalities since the beginning of 2025.
“Addiction is complex,” Jennifer Hahn, nurse practitioner and certified REVIVE! Trainer, said. “An untreated overdose can lead to severe health consequences or unintentional death. ”
Even experimenting with one pill can kill. The ‘One Pill Can Kill’ campaign has helped raise awareness. REVIVE! gives the community the tools to respond and prevent overdose deaths.
“As both a clinician and a parent, I find it terrifying—no one thinks it can happen to them until it does. If we can prevent even one family from experiencing the preventable loss of a loved one, this public health effort is worth it.” Hahn said.
Chesapeake Health Department overdose prevention services include:
- Overdose reversal education (REVIVE!),
- Naloxone kits,
- Drug test strips,
- Drug treatment services referrals,
- HIV and hepatitis testing, and
- Connections to medical care and support services.
Learn how to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose with REVIVE! Training with The Chesapeake Health Department. Visit https://redcap.link/9raczd3i for the training schedule. Rapid REVIVE! Training is also available at the Friday Farmers Market, 70 Knells Ridge Blvd., Chesapeake, Va. Between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
For more information on drug overdose prevention resources, contact The Chesapeake Health Department at (757) 382-8631. You can also email questions to overdose@vdh.virginia.gov.
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