In the first six months of 2016, at least 216 Virginians died from a fatal opioid overdose, 103 from the use of heroin and 136 from fentanyl. Overall, more people have died in Virginia this year from drug overdoses than from automobile accidents, according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. This is a problem that knows no boundaries, and has claimed too many lives in the Tri-Cities area.
To address the problem of heroin addiction, the Colonial Heights Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, in conjunction with Colonial Heights Public Schools and the City of Colonial Heights, will host a regional Summit on Heroin and Opiate Abuse on Wednesday, November 30 at 6:30 p.m. in the Colonial Heights High School auditorium, located at 3600 Conduit Road. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for individuals to gather information and talk with professionals in the drug abuse field.
This educational program will provide a video produced by the Attorney General’s Office, and include experts in the field of heroin and drug abuse. Members of the public will have an opportunity to ask questions of the panel publicly, or seek advice from medical and legal professionals, law enforcement, and drug rehabilitation counsellors. A number of individuals have worked hard putting this program together, and Vice Mayor Diane Yates, Superintendent Dr. Joseph Cox, Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services Haidee Napier, members of the Colonial Heights Police Department, and Deputy Commonwealth Attorney Gray Collins in particular deserve thanks in this regard.
A space will be provided for organizations to provide information concerning heroin, drug abuse and recovery from addiction. Representatives from the addiction recovery field will include experienced personnel from the Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Drug Court, Heroin Addiction Recovery Program (HARP), District 19, the McShin Foundation and Regenesis programs.
“Heroin overdoses are preventable, but the problem is difficult to solve. It requires a multifaceted approach involving medical and mental health professionals, as well as recovery specialists, law enforcement, and community support for those willing to break free from the effects of heroin,” said Colonial Heights Commonwealth’s Attorney William B. Bray. “To that end, we have brought together a significant number of experts from the Tri-Cities to show our desire to alleviate this problem, and in so doing, save lives and families torn apart by heroin addiction.”
Everyone is invited to learn about the heroin problem, why it has become so widespread and deadly, and the particular effects of heroin and opiates on the human body.
Approved by William B. Bray (804) 520-9293, brayw@colonialheightsva.gov
