According to the Virginia Department of Health, in 2022 almost 2,500 people died from overdoses in our state. Of those overdoses, 79% involved fentanyl or a fentanyl analog.
The Roanoke Area Youth Substance Abuse Coalition (RAYSAC) is working to provide overdose prevention education in recognition of “National Overdose Awareness Day” on August 31.
RAYSAC has created handouts about opioids that explain the origin, proliferation, and risks involved with fentanyl and counterfeit pills that may contain fentanyl. RAYSAC is also promoting and delivering OpioidWISE, an educational program designed for anyone from middle school youth to senior citizens about the risks involved with fentanyl and how it may be hidden in pills and other drugs in undetectable, yet deadly, amounts.
Organizations can host this free, roughly 20-minute program to help spread awareness and inform their staff and community members about the dangers. Contact information, educational guides, and much more can be found at RAYSAC.org.
