Tag: NARCAN

Cumberland Plateau Health District Offers Community Opioid Overdose Prevention Training

April 14, 2025
Media Contact: Daniel Hunsucker, PIO, daniel.hunsucker@vdh.virginia.gov

Cumberland Plateau Health District
Offers Community Opioid Overdose Prevention Training

LEBANON, Va. — The Virginia Department of Health’s Cumberland Plateau Health District is advising the public that substances laced with fentanyl or fentanyl derivatives have been reported in the area. These substances can be potentially fatal to people who use them.

To help community members prevent fatal opioid overdoses, Cumberland Plateau Health District in partnership with Cumberland Mountain Community Services Board, and the Appalachian Substance Abuse Coalition (ASAC) will host several local events to distribute free naloxone. Naloxone (also known as Narcan®,) is a fast-acting, safe and easy-to-administer nasal spray that can restore breathing and reduce potentially fatal effects of opioid overdoses. Naloxone should be given to any person who shows signs of an opioid overdose or when an overdose is suspected. A family member, bystander, first responder, or medical provider can administer naloxone to save lives. As a reminder, if you come across someone who has overdosed, you should call 911.

“Opioid overdoses are increasing throughout the country as well as in our own region and we want to help keep our communities safe. A person who has overdosed is unresponsive and unable to self-administer an antidote,” said Daniel Hunsucker, population health coordinator, LENOWISCO and Cumberland Plateau Health Districts. “These events give family members, friends and community members the training and tools to recognize and respond to an overdose to help save lives.”

Free naloxone training and distribution events are open to the public and are available on a walk-in basis. No pre-registration is required. Individuals who attend will learn how to use naloxone and will receive a free box containing two doses. Cumberland Plateau Health District does not ask for identification when distributing naloxone.

Naloxone Training Schedule:

  • Tuesday, April 14
    • Roger Jessee Food Bank, Castlewood; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Wednesday, April 15
    • Rescue/Community Center Parking Lot Dante Rescue; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Saturday, April 19
    • Mendota Health Fair, Mendota; 9 a.m.

“Many families have been touched in some way by the opioid epidemic,” said Daniel Hunsucker. “Getting trained and carrying naloxone is a great way for communities to get involved. Everyone is encouraged to get trained at these events and take advantage of the no-cost naloxone while it is available.”

For more information about opioids, visit www.CDC.gov/opioids. For more information about how to get free Narcan®, call your local health department.

Cumberland Plateau Health District:

  • Buchanan County 276-935-4591
  • Dickenson County 276-926-4979
  • Russell County 276-889-7621
  • Tazewell County 276-988-5585

Southside Health District Offers Revive! Training in Chase City

October 1, 2024
Media Contact: Brookie Crawford, brookie.crawford@vdh.virginia.gov

Southside Health District Offers Revive! Training in Chase City

CHASE CITY, Va. – Southside Health District, in conjunction with the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services, Southside Behavioral Health, and Southside Medical Reserve Corps, will offer Revive! training Thursday, October 3 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Estes Community Center, located at 316 N. Main St. in Chase City.

REVIVE! is Virginia’s statewide opioid overdose and naloxone education program. Since 2013, fatal drug overdose continues to be the leading method of unnatural death in Virginia.

Participants will learn to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose, respond to an opioid emergency, and effectively use Naloxone. Naloxone is now an over-the-counter medication that reverses an overdose that might otherwise be fatal.

To register, complete the online form or call (804) 914-2608. Space is limited, so register today. The training is open to all community members and there are no prerequisites to participate. Upon completion, each participant will receive two doses of Naloxone nasal spray. The training takes approximately 60 minutes.

An opioid overdose is a life-threatening medical emergency. If you think an overdose may be occurring, it is important to act quickly to save a life and call 911 immediately.

For more information or to schedule additional trainings, contact Amanda Hutchins at (804) 914-2608 or amanda.hutchins1@vdh.virginia.gov.

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Southside Health District Offers Revive! Training in South Boston

August 8, 2024
Media Contact: Brookie Crawford, brookie.crawford@vdh.virginia.gov

 Southside Health District Offers Revive! Training in South Boston

SOUTH BOSTON, Va. – Southside Health District, in conjunction with the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services, Southside Behavioral Health, and Southside Medical Reserve Corps, will offer Revive! training Saturday, August 17 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the YMCA of South Boston, located at 650 Hamilton Blvd. in South Boston.

REVIVE! is Virginia’s statewide opioid overdose and naloxone education program. Since 2013, fatal drug overdose continues to be the leading method of unnatural death in Virginia.

Participants will learn to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose, respond to an opioid emergency, and effectively use Naloxone. Naloxone is now an over-the-counter medication that reverses an overdose that might otherwise be fatal.

To register, complete the online form or call (804) 914-2608. Space is limited, so register today. The training is open to all community members and there are no prerequisites to participate. Upon completion, each participant will receive two doses of Naloxone nasal spray. The training takes approximately 20-30 minutes.

An opioid overdose is a life-threatening medical emergency. If you think an overdose may be occurring, it is important to act quickly to save a life and call 911 immediately.

SSHD will also offer Revive! training Friday, September 20 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the YMCA of Clarksville, located at 260 Hillcrest Drive in Clarksville.

For more information or to schedule additional trainings, contact Amanda Hutchins at (804) 914-2608 or amanda.hutchins1@vdh.virginia.gov.

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Chesterfield Health District Offers You the Tools to Help End Overdoses

May 3, 2024
Media Contact: Kristy Fowler, PR Specialist, kristy.fowler@vdh.virginia.gov

Chesterfield Health District Offers You the Tools to Help End Overdoses

CHESTERFIELD, Va. — Fentanyl-laced street drugs are driving a surge in fatal overdoses. Think this can’t happen to you or someone you love? Talk to Jennifer Jurlando.

Her brother, Mark Jurlando, beat a drug habit in his teens with rehab, lived a fulfilling life for 40 years, and then relapsed after a cancer diagnosis, taking prescribed pain medicine after surgery. His life fell apart, and he died in a hotel room from a heroin overdose with fentanyl.

“If the housekeeping staff had Naloxone, Mark may have survived,” Jurlando said.

Naloxone is an over-the-counter medication that reverses an overdose that might otherwise be fatal. Anyone can learn how to use this tool to help prevent overdose deaths in their community.

Compared to the state average, Chesterfield County and Colonial Heights have higher rates of:

  • drug overdose deaths
  • drug overdose emergency department visits
  • drug overdose hospitalizations

“I have three teenage sons. They’re good, smart kids,” Jurlando said. “Don’t assume your kids are too smart to take a friend’s medication for a headache. Or that your elderly parents may forget they already took a prescription pain reliever and take it again.”

May 7 is Fentanyl Awareness Day. Learn how to spot the signs of an overdose and respond using life-saving Naloxone. In 2022, almost eight out of 10 (79%) drug overdose deaths involved fentanyl, fentanyl analogs, and tramadol.

“It’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it,” Jurlando said. “I went to a Naloxone training because the overdose deaths in my state last year were the highest ever. Also, I frequent places that people might overdose, like libraries, parking lots, everywhere.”

Jurlando is a Medical Reserve Corps volunteer with the Chesterfield Health District and now helps lead Naloxone trainings.

Join the Chesterfield Health District in the community room of the Midlothian Library, located at 100 Millworks Crossing, on Tuesday, May 7 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Each attendee will receive training and free Naloxone nasal spray to use on someone experiencing an overdose. Register online.

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Mount Rogers Health District Celebrates Progress in 2023 Annual Report

February 12, 2023
Media Contact: Meagan Helmick, PhD, MPH, CHES®
Health Director
Meagan.helmick@vdh.virginia.gov 

Mount Rogers Health District Celebrates Progress in 2023 Annual Report

(MARION, Va.) — The Mount Rogers Health District is thrilled to release its 2023 Annual Report, highlighting significant achievements in public health, with a particular emphasis on addressing substance use disorder, community outreach events, and positive outcomes in BabyCare, Family Planning, and WIC programs.

Throughout the year, the Mount Rogers Health District has worked diligently to address public health challenges, demonstrating resilience in the face of unprecedented events. The 2023 Annual Report reflects the district’s dedication to enhancing the overall well-being of residents and fostering a culture of health and wellness.

Key highlights of the 2023 Annual Report include:

  • Proactive Approach to Address Substance Use Disorder with REVIVE Training
    Through comprehensive REVIVE training programs, community members gained essential knowledge and skills to respond effectively to opioid overdoses. This initiative reflects our commitment to saving lives and fostering a community equipped to address this critical public health issue. The district provided training to over 800 individuals and dispensed more than 2,000 doses of Narcan to our community members.
  • Community Health Worker Outreach Events
    These events ranged from educational workshops to wellness fairs, creating opportunities for direct interaction with the community and facilitating meaningful conversations about health and well-being. The community health workers hosted 68 events and attended an additional 126 events.
  • Positive Outcomes in Child and Maternal Health
    The BabyCare and Family Planning programs have yielded positive outcomes, contributing to healthier pregnancies and improved family planning choices for women in the community. More than 2,000 women received family planning services at one of the eight health departments in the district.

Furthermore, more than 1,400 home visits were performed by the district’s public health nurses and more than 300 mothers and/or babies were enrolled in our BabyCare program. Mount Rogers Health District accounted for 21% of all BabyCare visits performed in Virginia. Through personalized care and education, these programs have empowered individuals and families to make informed decisions, leading to improved maternal and child health outcomes.

  • WIC Program Success
    The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program continued to play a crucial role in promoting nutrition and healthy development. By providing essential support to pregnant women, new mothers, and young children, WIC has positively impacted the nutritional well-being of our community, ensuring a strong start for the next generation. More than 4,100 participants received WIC services from the health district in 2023. Additionally, $18,000 worth of Farmers Market coupons were redeemed last year.

Dr. Meagan Helmick, Director of the Mount Rogers Health District, stated, “Our 2023 Annual Report reflects the dedication of our team and the resilience of our community. By addressing substance use disorder, engaging in impactful outreach, and achieving positive child and maternal health outcomes, we are building a foundation for a healthier community.”

The 2023 Annual Report, inclusive of detailed information on these achievements, is available for review on the Mount Rogers Health District website https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/mount-rogers/.

Central Virginia Health District and Horizon Behavioral Health Announce Second Annual Fentanyl Awareness Day

May 5, 2023

 Media Contact: Kim Foster, MHA, kimberlee.foster@vdh.virginia.gov

 Central Virginia Health District and Horizon Behavioral Health Announce Second Annual Fentanyl Awareness Day

LYNCHBURG, Va. –  The safety and well-being of our community are always of utmost importance, which is why Horizon Behavioral Health and the Central Virginia Health District have partnered to recognize the second annual National Fentanyl Awareness Day. Both agencies have joined together to raise public awareness about an urgent problem: people are dying at alarming rates due to illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMF), a potent synthetic opioid.

One of the tools we have available to potentially reverse an opioid overdose is the use of naloxone (Narcan®). Community members can obtain Narcan by attending REVIVE! training. REVIVE! is the opioid overdose and naloxone education program for the Commonwealth of Virginia. The training provides education on how to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose and how to respond using Narcan. Anyone can take the training and there are no specific requirements.

Horizon Behavioral Health and the Central Virginia Health District will be offering Rapid REVIVE! both virtually and in person. The training takes less than 30 minutes, and each person receives Narcan nasal spray upon completion. Virtual attendees can pick up their Narcan at Horizon Behavioral Health or one of the health department sites listed below on Thursday, May 11 between noon and 2 p.m.

Upcoming training options include:

May 9: virtual sessions – training times scheduled at 10 a.m., noon, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82435371792?pwd=TlVxckRRMmZiSk1SV0RGdWFJOGs0Zz09

Zoom meeting ID: 824 3537 1792, Passcode: 764951


May 11: in-person sessions noon – 2 p.m. (stop in anytime during the time period)

Amherst County Health Department – 224 2nd St., Amherst, VA

Appomattox County Health Department – 475 Court St., Appomattox, VA

Bedford County Health Department – 600 Bedford Ave., Bedford, VA 

Campbell County Health Department – 116 Kabler Lane, Rustburg, VA 

Lynchburg Health Department – 307 Alleghany Ave., Lynchburg, VA

Horizon Behavioral Health and Central Virginia Health District offer REVIVE! trainings throughout the year. More information can be found here:

https://abovethehigh.org/learn-the-facts/#revive  or call 434-477-5464

https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/central-virginia/substance-abuse-recovery/ or call 434-477-5900