Save One Life
We each have a role to play in keeping our loved ones and community safe from opioid misuse. Together, we can #Save1Life!
Ways to help
Carry Narcan
Narcan (also known as the generic Naloxone) is a medication that reverses opioid overdose. It’s now available over-the-counter, and some local organizations offer it at no cost.
We encourage everyone to add Narcan to your first aid kit.
You can obtain free Narcan/Naloxone from the following agencies following a rapid 10-15 minute training. Please call ahead to ensure staff availability.
- Fredericksburg Health Department
608 Jackson Street
540-899-4142 - Caroline County Health Department
17202 Richmond Turnpike
804-633-5465 - King George County Health Department
8097 Kings Highway
540-775-3111 - Spotsylvania County Health Department
9104 Courthouse Road
540-659-3101 - Stafford County Health Department
1300 Courthouse Road
540-659-3101
Rappahannock Area Community Services Board (RACSB)
- Fredericksburg Clinic
600 Jackson Street
540-373-3223 - Caroline County Clinic
19254 Rogers Clark Boulevard
804-633-9997 - King George County Clinic
8479 St. Anthony’s Road
540-775-9879 - Spotsylvania County Clinic
7424 Brock Road
540-582-3980 - Stafford County Clinic
15 Hope Road
540-659-2725
You can obtain free Narcan with the following providers:
- Brightview Health, 833-510-4357
- Conscious Healing, 540-402-1199
- Lighthouse Counseling of Fredericksburg, 540-907-0121
- New Genesis Recovery Center, 540-412-8330
- Zoe Freedom Center, 540-388-2748
Mail order Naloxone is available through the Chris Atwood Foundation at: https://www.thecaf.org/get-narcan
Practice Prevention
Keep Your Medications Safe
Know what’s in your medicine cabinet and who has access to it. Use medication lockboxes to limit access.
Safely Dispose of Old, Expired, and Unused Medication
Local law enforcement offices and some pharmacies have collection boxes. Find one here.
National Drug Take Back events happen twice a year. Locally, this effort is Operation Medicine Cabinet.
Medication disposal kits are available throughout the community.
Educate and Advocate
- Learn about substance mis-use and abuse.
- Educate yourself on prescribing practices as well as alternatives for pain management.
- Talk with your doctor and dentist about prescriptions and medications you’re taking.
- Talk with your family, friends and neighbors to increase awareness and reduce stigma associated with substance use.
people in Virginia died from opioid overdoses in 2022.
people in Planning District 16 died from opioid overdoses in 2021.
The impact to our community is devastating.
In 2021, an average of 7 Virginians died of a drug overdose every day.
In February 2023, there were 26 visits to the emergency department for overdoses in Spotsylvania County.
Ten people died from prescription opioid overdose in 2022 in Stafford County.
Opioid overdose accounted for more than 47% of the poisoning deaths among children ages 0 to 5 years between 2005 and 2018.
92% of pediatric opioid poisonings occur in the child’s home.
What is Harm Reduction?
Harm reduction is a set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing negative consequences associated with drug use.
Harm Reduction is also a movement for social justice built on a belief in, and respect for, the rights of people who use drugs. (National Harm Reduction Coalition)
Towards this approach and in an effort to stop opiate overdose there are local resources for Methadone, Suboxone, Narcan, drug testing kits, therapy, and case management. Harm Reduction kits are available at various community providers. Kits include at least: first aid, sharps disposal container, sterile water, Narcan, Xylazine and Fentanyl test strips.
Examples of harm reduction approaches include:
- Overdose reversal education/training services
- Narcan/Naloxone availability
- linkage to HIV and viral Hepatitis prevention, testing, treatment, and care services
- Substance use kits/safer sex kits
- Sharps disposal/medical disposal kits
- Medication Lock Boxes
- Access to and/or providing supplies to promote safe injection practices
- supervised consumption sites
- Medication for Opioid Use Disorder
