Opioid Overdose Prevention
What is Naloxone?
Naloxone blocks or reverses the effects of opioids, including extreme drowsiness, slowed breathing, or loss of consciousness. An opioid is sometimes called a narcotic. Naloxone is used to treat a narcotic overdose in an emergency situation. This medicine should not be used in place of emergency medical care for an overdose. Always call EMS or 9-1-1 immediately.
Make sure you obtain and carry naloxone to reverse an opioid overdose. You can save a life.
The over-the-counter naloxone nasal spray sold under the brand name NARCAN is now available at most major pharmacies. Residents can purchase 2-dose boxes of Narcan from a pharmacy or can receive Narcan for free from Richmond and Henrico Health District locations. To receive Narcan or naloxone training from RHHD, please call our Opioid Response Team at (804) 592-8069.
[Download the Naloxone Flyer- English- PDF, 130KB]
[Download the Naloxone Flyer- Spanish- PDF, 130KB ]
Contact
To schedule a training for your organization, please contact the Opioid Response Team at richmondnaloxonetraining@gmail.com.
Announcing: Spike Alert
No matter what you use or how you use it—carry naloxone, go slow, and have a buddy.
A comprehensive harm reduction program is now available in Richmond!
Virginia’s second needle exchange program is an initiative aimed at reducing the risk of spreading bloodborne disease by offering clean needles to injection drug users in Richmond.
The Health Brigade, formerly the Fan Free Clinic, is offering a comprehensive harm-reduction program (opens in new tab). It provides HIV and hepatitis C testing, referrals to substance use treatment and other services alongside the clean syringes that the clinic gives away in exchange for used ones. Free naloxone is available at all comprehensive harm-reduction program sites.
New laws around safe reporting and syringe exchange
Virginia has passed a series of laws that protect people reporting overdoses and those participating in needle exchange programs.
SSB 667: Safe Reporting — Effective July 1, 2020
No one is subject to arrest or prosecution for drugs/paraphernalia if seeking emergency medical attention for themselves or others who are overdosing. Individuals are expected to remain at the scene and identify themselves to emergency services. This law acts as affirmative defense; admitting that there was a crime but offering an explanation or justification for the incident.
Virginia law protects participants in needle exchange programs by stating that laws prohibiting the possession of a controlled substance, drug paraphernalia, and controlled paraphernalia shall not apply to any person acting on behalf or for the benefit of a comprehensive harm reduction program when such possession is incidental to the provision of services as part of a comprehensive harm reduction program.
HEALTH BRIGADE NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAM LOCATION & HOURS
Mondays:
5-8 pm Health Brigade back parking lot (1010 N. Thompson St.)
Tuesdays:
(mobile)
12pm-3pm Church Hill, Lucks Field (Rogers St. and “T” Street)
Wednesdays:
(mobile)
12pm-3pm Northside Location (Corner of North Ave and Wickham St.)
Thursdays:
(mobile)
12pm-3pm Southside (Corner of Dinwiddie and Jefferson Davis)
![bounce back from addiction logo](https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/119/2021/10/bounce-back-logo.png)
Education, Prevention, Treatment, Recovery for our Region.
Bounce Back From Addiction provides a comprehensive, regionally-focused clearinghouse of information about opioids as well as services available for treatment, recovery and prevention. It directs those needing immediate help or recovery support to resources, and it offers practical guidance, for example, on discussing pain-relieving alternatives with a doctor as well as what parents can do if their child is suspected of using drugs. Visit the Bounce Back From Addiction website (opens in new tab).
Resources
OPIOID DATA AND RESOURCES
- Virginia Opioid Addiction Indicators Dashboard (Virginia Department of Health) (opens in new tab)
- Virginia Fatal Drug Overdose Data (Virginia Department of Health) (opens in new tab)
- Virginia Emergency Department Visits for Drug Overdose Data (Virginia Department of Health) (opens in new tab)
- Virginia Social Indicators Dashboard (opens in new tab)
- National Opioid Prescribing Rate Maps (Centers from Disease Control and Prevention) (opens in new tab)