Since 2020, Virginia has seen more deaths from drug overdoses than from car accidents and gun-related incidents combined, according to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management.
This serious issue has become a top priority both statewide and nationally, especially due to the high number of opioid-related overdoses. Efforts are being made to intervene and save lives wherever possible.
The Harrisonburg-Rockingham Community Services Board (HRCSB) holds monthly Revive Trainings at the Massanutten Regional Library in Downtown Harrisonburg. These sessions teach people how to recognize and reverse opioid overdoses using Naloxone (Narcan) and offer participants a free certification upon completion.
Programs like these are running across Virginia to educate the public on how to respond effectively to opioid overdoses. Preliminary data from the Virginia Department of Health shows a promising 43% drop in drug overdose deaths in 2024 compared to 2023.
Learning the skills offered in these overdose prevention classes is essential to be ready in case of an emergency. For more details on the Revive Trainings, visit the HRCSB website or the Massanutten Regional Library.