May 7 is National Fentanyl Awareness Day. Fentanyl is an incredibly potent synthetic opioid, increasingly responsible for overdose deaths.

Fatal drug overdose has been the leading method of unnatural death in Virginia since 2013. Opioids, specifically illicit fentanyl, have been the driving force behind the large increases in fatal overdoses since 2013. Preliminary numbers for 2023 indicated that fentanyl (prescription, illicit, and/or analogs) caused or contributed to death in 76.4% of all fatal overdoses in 2023.

Southside Health District is asking for the community’s assistance with the fentanyl crisis.

You can help by knowing the signs of overdose and by signing up for Revive Training, a free opioid overdose and Naloxone education session.

Participants will learn to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose, respond to an opioid emergency, and administer Naloxone. Naloxone is an over-the-counter medication that reverses an overdose that might otherwise be fatal.

Southside Health District has scheduled a Revive training for Thursday, June 13 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Estes Community Center, located at 316 N. Main St., Chase City. To register, complete the online form or call (804) 914-2608. Space is limited, so register today.

For more information or to schedule additional trainings, contact Amanda Hutchins at amanda.hutchins1@vdh.virginia.gov or (804) 914-2608.