The Opioid Epidemic Outlook

National Outlook: According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2023 there were 107,543 drug overdose deaths in the United States, and 81,083 of those deaths were opioid-related.

State Outlook: According to the Virginia Department of Health, there were approximately 2, 513 drug overdose deaths in Virginia, and approximately 1,910 of those deaths involved fentanyl. These are preliminary numbers which will be finalized in July, 2024.

City of Richmond Outlook: According to the Virginia Department of Health’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, preliminary reports in 2023 show approximately 297 overdose deaths in the City of Richmond, and 270 of those deaths from opioids. 

The City of Richmond’s Response to the Opioid Epidemic

Opioid Response Coordination Staff

The City of Richmond employs two full time policy advisors to address the opioid epidemic and support opioid response coordination. 

Michael Fatula, Policy Advisor for Opioid Response Coordination 

Michael is responsible for providing leadership, planning, management, and coordination of the City’s response to the opioid epidemic.  

Jason Alley, Policy Advisor for Opioid Response Community Outreach and Engagement

Jason is responsible for establishing and maintaining relationships with local service providers, community organizations, and stakeholders which support individuals with opioid use disorder throughout the continuum of care.

Contact Us:

Email: opioidresponse@rva.gov

Phone: (804) 646-5823
 

Looking for help?

If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call: (804) 819-4100

Responding through Partnership: Richmond Opioid Task Force

The City of Richmond facilitates the Richmond Opioid Task Force (ROTF) which meets monthly to identify needs and solutions to address the opioid epidemic in the City of Richmond. The ROTF includes representation from the City of Richmond, Richmond Henrico Health District, Richmond Behavioral Health Authority, harm reduction organizations, medical professionals, treatment providers, and Richmond City residents.  The ROTF has four subcommittees that also meet monthly: 

• Prevention
• Harm Reduction
• Treatment/Recovery
• Diversion 

For more information or to connect with the Richmond Opioid Task Force, please email: opioidresponse@rva.gov or call (804) 646-5823.

Current Projects

2023

In 2023, the City of Richmond, in partnership with Chesterfield County, Hanover County, and Henrico County to expand the region’s Peer Recovery Specialist Program. This effort is focused on deploying Peer Recovery Specialists in emergent situations. 

In 2023, the City of Richmond also launched an additional effort, in partnership with Chesterfield County, Hanover County, and Henrico County to study the impact of opioids on pregnant, birthing, and parenting persons. This effort will provide a gap analysis and needs assessment of this population in Central Virginia.

Each project is ongoing.

2024

In 2024,  the City of Richmond is launching four new projects.

1. Harm Reduction: The City will be placing three harm reduction vending machines in public spaces. These harm reduction vending machines will provide naloxone, fentanyl testing strips, and basic personal hygiene items at no cost to residents.

2. Prevention: Youth-focused opioid prevention campaign.  This campaign will draw from existing evidence-based programs tailored for the Richmond community and will rely on a multimedia communications campaign to reach the target audience of youth aged 13-24.

3.  Treatment/Recovery: Integration of Peer Recovery Specialists into areas such as emergency response, detox, treatment, recovery, and other facilities to enhance the continuum of care for individuals affected by opioid use disorder.  This will be done by the release of a request for proposals (RFP) and selection of 

4.  Data and Resources: Cooperative project with Henrico County and the Richmond Henrico Heath District to provide a resource mapping guide and public facing data dashboard available to the public.