REVIVE: Sustaining a Life Saving Program during the Pandemic

About the Program

Category: Human Services (Best in Category)

Year: 2021

Henrico County, like many parts of the country, has been plagued by an opioid crisis. This crisis was exacerbated by the pandemic. In 2020, Henrico experienced a 58% increase in Heroin and Opioid overdoses. One bright spot in these staggering numbers is that while overdoses have increased, the total number of overdose deaths has decreased. We believe that that this decrease is largely due to wider distribution and access to Naloxone. Naloxone is a medication that rapidly reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. Prior to the pandemic, Henrico Area Mental Health & Developmental Services had taken a lead role in providing REVIVE training to County staff and residents. These trainings focused on education about opioid overdose and the safe administration of Naloxone. Participants were provided a free dose of Naloxone following the training. The pandemic and the move away from in-person meetings created a barrier to provide the REVIVE trainings. Henrico Area Mental Health & Developmental Services leveraged partnerships and technology to develop a strategy to continue providing REVIVE during the pandemic.