What role does the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services play concerning naloxone?

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services plays a crucial role in addressing substance use disorders, including the opioid crisis, by running the REVIVE! program, which focuses specifically on providing naloxone kits. This program aims to equip individuals and communities with the tools necessary to respond to opioid overdoses by increasing access to naloxone, a life-saving medication that can reverse an opioid overdose.

The REVIVE! program not only supplies naloxone but also includes training for individuals on how to administer it properly, thereby empowering laypersons and first responders to act in emergency situations. This proactive approach is vital for reducing fatalities associated with opioid overdoses in Virginia.

The other roles related to naloxone, such as tracking prescriptions, evaluating effectiveness, or regulating sales, are conducted by other entities or agencies within the healthcare and regulatory systems. Therefore, the focus of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services on the REVIVE! program and its mission to distribute naloxone effectively underscores its direct involvement in mitigating the impact of the opioid crisis in the community.