Each day in the United States 144 people die from fatal drug overdoses;
the majority are opioid related. In Virginia, fatal drug overdoses are
the number one cause of unnatural death. During 2016 drug overdose
deaths in Virginia increased by 25%. In response to the worsening drug
addiction epidemic, the Virginia Department of Health declared the
opioid addiction crisis a public health emergency in November 2016.
One way to prevent overdose deaths is to make Naloxone
more available to first responders. Naloxone temporarily reverses the
effect of opiates by counteracting the life-threatening depression of
the central nervous system and respiratory system, thereby allowing an
overdose victim to breathe normally. In Virginia, the first people to
arrive on the scene in a suspected overdose emergency are law
enforcement officers. Currently fewer than 10% of law enforcement
departments are equipped with Naloxone.
The Rev. Jan Brown and the Rev. Lauren McDonald, co-chairs of
the Diocesan Addictions & Recovery Commission, and SpiritWorks
Foundation in Williamsburg have chosen to become part of the solution by
teaching others how to respond to opioid overdose. After becoming
trainers through REVIVE!, the Opioid Overdose & Naloxone Education
Program, they have begun training law enforcement officers, probation
& parole officers, family members, community members and individuals
on how to use the life-saving reversal drug to prevent fatal drug
overdose.
Through June 15, SpiritWorks is holding a fundraiser, Soles
for the Soul, to collect shoes to raise money to purchase Naloxone
(Narcan) for law enforcement officers. Through Soles for the Soul,
SpiritWorks is hoping to raise awareness of the opioid epidemic in our
area and to raise funds to help prevent it. Save lives. Donate shoes.
For more information call the Rev. Jan M. Brown or the Rev.
Lauren McDonald at 757-903-0000 or leave your gently used shoes in the
drop box at the SpiritWorks Foundation Center at 5800 Mooretown Rd. in
Williamsburg at any time.
Click here to watch an interview with the Rev. Jan Brown about the Soles for the Soul project.
