Tag: opioid overdose

RHHD Shares Tips for Preventing and Recognizing Opioid Overdose

August 28, 2025
Media Contact: Bryan Hooten, 804-807-1727, bryan.hooten@vdh.virginia.gov

RHHD Shares Tips for Preventing and Recognizing Opioid Overdose
International Overdose Awareness Day is Aug. 31

 

RICHMOND, Va. — The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) share tips for preventing and recognizing opioid overdoses.

Opioids are natural or synthetic chemicals that bind to receptors in your brain or body to reduce the intensity of pain signals reaching the brain. Doctors sometimes prescribe opioids to manage and treat moderate-to-severe pain. Opioids can cause a person’s breathing to slow down or stop— this is considered an overdose. Anyone taking prescription opioids is at risk for unintentional overdose or death. Anyone can become addicted to opioids, regardless of race, gender, income level or social class. Common prescription opioid drugs include:

  • Hydrocodone (such as Vicodin®, Norco®)
  • Oxycodone (such as OxyContin®, Percocet®)
  • Morphine (such as MS Contin®, Kadian®)

“Opioid overdoses continue to impact families and communities across our region, said Richmond and Henrico Health Districts Substance Use Disorder Coordinator Jasmine Blue. “Knowing the signs of an overdose, carrying naloxone and knowing how to use it are steps one can take to save a life.”

International Overdose Awareness Day is Aug. 31.

Preliminary data from 2024 (as of June 2025) show there were 1,403 drug overdose deaths among Virginia residents, a 43% decrease from 2023. For the same year, Richmond City saw a 40% decrease in drug overdose deaths and a 46% decrease in opioid overdose deaths. Henrico County saw a 51% decrease in drug overdose deaths and a 54% decrease in opioid overdose deaths.

How to spot an opioid overdose:

Recognizing the signs of opioid overdose and acting quickly can save a life. Here are some signs to look for:

  • The person is showing no movement or cannot be woken up
  • Dizziness and disorientation
  • Discoloration of lips and nails
  • Extremely small pupils
  • Slow or no breathing
  • Choking, coughing, gurgling or snoring sounds
  • Cold or clammy skin

How to stop an opioid overdose:

Naloxone is a medication used to rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Naloxone works by blocking the effects of opioids, including heroin, fentanyl and prescription opioid medications. Naloxone is the generic name, and the medication can be found under the brand name of Narcan ®. Naloxone is available in two forms–injectable and prepackaged nasal spray. Naloxone may be covered by your insurance provider. You may be able to get naloxone at little to no cost through community groups and RHHD.

RHHD dispenses naloxone at the following locations:

The City of Richmond has installed two harm reduction vending machines at locations across the city. These machines provide free, 24/7 access to life-saving resources such as naloxone (Narcan), fentanyl test strips and personal hygiene items. Machines are now operational at:

  • Marshall Plaza (900 E. Marshall St.)
  • Southside Plaza (4100 Hull St.)

Individuals are at increased risk for an opioid overdose if they are:

  • Leaving emergency care for overdoses
  • Experiencing loss of tolerance due to detox, incarceration or abstinence-based treatment
  • Enrolled in treatment programs
  • In active substance use

Certain circumstances create a higher risk of opioid overdose emergency, including:

  • Prior overdose
  • Mixing drugs – combining opioids with other drugs, including alcohol, stimulants or depressants.
    • Stimulants and depressants do not cancel each other out
  • Using opioids alone
  • Variations in strength or quantity or changing formulations (e.g., switching from quick acting to long lasting/extended release)
  • Medical conditions such as chronic lung disease or kidney or liver problems

Visit rhhd.gov for more health and safety information. Follow RHHD on Instagram (@richmondcity_hd) and Facebook. Sign up for RHHD’s monthly newsletter at rhhd.gov/news.

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Southside Health District Offers REVIVE, CPR Training in South Boston

April 25, 2025
Media Contact: Brian C. Little, Sr., brian.little@vdh.virginia.gov

Southside Health District Offers REVIVE, CPR Training in South Boston

SOUTH BOSTON, Va. — Southside Health District, in collaboration with the Southside Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) and Southside Behavioral Health, will offer free CPR and REVIVE!

Date: Saturday, May 3
Location: Ash Avenue Baptist Church, 900 Ash Ave., South Boston

Scheduled Classes:
Instruction provided by Southside MRC
CPR – 10 a.m. – Noon
REVIVE! class – 1 – 2 p.m.

Registration begins at 9:30 a.m.
To preregister, complete the online form or call (804) 914-2608.

“Opioid overdose is one of the leading causes of unnatural death in Virginia,” said Pittsylvania-Danville and Southside Health District Director Scott J. Spillmann, MD, MPH. “CPR and REVIVE! training provide essential skills to help people respond to individuals experiencing a medical emergency.”

REVIVE! participants will gain skills to respond to an opioid emergency and learn how to effectively use naloxone. Upon completion, the class participants will receive two free doses of naloxone, two face shields and two pairs of gloves. People aged 18 and older are encouraged to attend REVIVE! training. Minors are welcome to observe the classes with parental consent.

In addition to the REVIVE! classes, community members will be given the opportunity to learn how to save lives through CPR. Individuals of all ages may register for this class.

Heart attacks and opioid overdose are life-threatening medical emergencies. If you think either a heart attack or 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 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 Clarksville

September 6, 2024
Media Contact: Brookie Crawford, brookie.crawford@vdh.virginia.gov

Southside Health District Offers Revive! Training in Clarksville

CLARKSVILLE, 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 Friday, September 20 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the YMCA of Clarksville, located at 1567 Noblin Farm Road in Clarksville.

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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Chickahominy Health District Offering Free Naloxone and Opioid Overdose Education

July 26, 2023
Media Contact: Caitlin Hodge, Caitlin.Hodge@vdh.virginia.gov

Chickahominy Health District Offering Free Naloxone and Opioid Overdose Education

ASHLAND, Va. – Beginning in August 2023, the Chickahominy Health District will be holding walk-in hours (no appointment required) each month for community members to receive free naloxone nasal spray and learn in less than 30 minutes how to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose emergency. The locations, dates, and times for free naloxone and education are below.

Charles City Health Department: 7501 Adkins Rd, Charles City
2nd Wednesdays from 8:30-11:30am
4th Wednesdays from 8:30-11:30am

Goochland Health Department: 1800 Sandy Hood Rd, Goochland
Tuesdays from 8:30-11:30am

Hanover Health Department: 12312 Washington Hwy, Ashland
Mondays from 1:00-3:00pm
Thursdays from 8:30-11:30am

New Kent Health Department: 7911 Courthouse Cir, New Kent
1st Wednesdays from 8:30-11:30am, 1:00-3:00pm
3rd Wednesdays from 8:30-11:30am

“We believe every home should have a first aid kit that includes naloxone” said the district’s Community Engagement Specialist, Felicia Baez Smith. “Responding quickly and using naloxone during an opioid overdose emergency can save lives – it’s important we make it available.”

To learn more about naloxone, please visit: www.vdh.virginia.gov/epidemiology/naloxone/

To schedule an appointment for naloxone and education outside of the walk-in hours, please contact the district’s Reach Line at 804-365-3240 or email CHDWellness@vdh.virginia.gov.

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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