International Overdose Awareness Week is an observance adopted to raise awareness of substance use disorder and the challenges that exist for those impacted. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) the hope is that the observance will “combat stigmatization, promote treatment, celebrate recovery and strengthen collective efforts to prevent overdose deaths.” The week is highlighted by International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31, which recognizes people who go unseen.
Drug use and drug addiction affect all communities in Virginia. The most recent statistics show that in 2022, there were 2,490 deaths due to drug overdose. Also, during that year, nearly 23,000 Virginians received drug overdose related hospital emergency care.
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has been actively working with the Governor’s office and other state agencies by providing services and programs to help people struggling with substance abuse. The Governor’s Right Help, Right Now initiative is focused on providing behavioral health support that includes the following focus areas.
- Same day care for behavioral health crisis
- Reduction of criminalization of mental health
- Expand capacity to serve those who need behavioral health services
- Support for substance use disorders and overdose
- Strengthening the behavioral health workforce.
VDH has recently created a new Overdose Prevention website that provides a comprehensive list of programs and services for people in need. The website highlights harm reduction services—support to help keep people safe and reduce the chance of getting infections, overdosing, and death. Some examples of services include information about how to obtain fentanyl test strips. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that can be purchased as a prescription but is also used illegally. The test strips can detect whether fentanyl is in something that you are using.
VDH also provides education and information on a medication called naloxone. Naloxone can reverse an opioid overdose. The medication is available to support community partners who serve those struggling with addiction. The medication may be obtained over the counter or from your healthcare provider. The Department of Health and Developmental Services provides training on how to use naloxone. The Rapid REVIVE training teaches participants how to recognize an overdose and how to use the naloxone medication to save a life.