Opioids claimed the lives of more than 1,900 people in Virginia last year, according to reports from the Virginia Department of Health. Locally, community partners are coming together to remember loved ones lost and to continue their efforts to end overdose.
August 31 is annually recognized as International Overdose Awareness Day. Several local events are planned:
Rapid REVIVE! Drive Up Trainings
Rapid REVIVE! is a 10-minute abbreviated version of the REVIVE! training. Participants will gain an understanding of what causes an opioid overdose and how to administer Narcan. The Rapid REVIVE! will be conducted via drive thru from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on August 31st at two locations:
- Germanna Community College Fredericksburg Area Campus, 10000 Germanna Point Drive Fredericksburg VA 22408 in the first parking lot on the left
- Germanna Community College Locust Grove Campus, 2130 Germanna Highway, Locust Grove VA 22508 in the bottom parking lot, please follow the directional signs.
Individuals 18 years and older who complete the Rapid REVIVE! will receive a free dose of Narcan Nasal Spray. The training and dispensing are coordinated by the Rappahannock Area Community Services Board, Germanna Community College, and Rappahannock Rapidan Health District.
It’s On Us!
The Rappahannock Area Health District is hosting a discussion on prevention strategies related to drug use from the public health perspective. Participants will learn what they can do as individuals as well as what can be done systematically to support a community free of drug use and abuse. Video call link: https://meet.google.com/dy-rxb or dial+1 617-675-4444 PIN: 848 407 9306#
Virtual REVIVE! Training
For those unable to attend the Rapid REVIVE! Drive Up trainings in the morning, an evening Virtual REVIVE! Training will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Participants will be taught to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose. Those who complete the course will receive a free dose of naloxone, the lifesaving antidote to opioid overdose. Register online for this training hosted by the Rappahannock Area Community Services Board: https://bit.ly/VIRTUAL_REVIVE
Get Informed
Germanna Community Collage will host information tables throughout the day on August 31, 2021.
Paint the Town Purple!
Everyone is encouraged to wear purple on August 31 to show their support for International Overdose Awareness Day.