First Responder Naloxone Program
The Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police (VACP) is managing a First Responder Naloxone grant for the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS). The project goals are to increase access and distribution of naloxone to all first responders in the Commonwealth of Virginia, increase participation in the DBHDS REVIVE! training for first responders, and to increase the number of REVIVE! Trainers and Master Trainers.
Organizations eligible to receive FREE naloxone, supplies, and training through this program include Law Enforcement Agencies (sheriff’s, police, campus, etc.), non-EMS Fire Departments, non-ambulatory EMS agencies, Jails / Correctional Facilities, and State/Regional Probation and Parole offices located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. There are other agencies that qualify under this grant and requests to participate in this program are reviewed on a case-by-case basis for agencies that are not included in the list above.
To receive Naloxone at no-cost through this grant, agencies must participate in the REVIVE for First Responders training program in order to receive free naloxone! The VACP conducts monthly virtual REVIVE! for First Responders train-the-trainers at no cost to the agencies and participants. Please note, local health departments, CSB’s, and community organizations are not certified nor authorized to conduct the REVIVE for First Responders training program, and the trainings conducted by these agencies do not satisfy the training requirements for this program.
Please read below for information on No-Cost Naloxone Supplies, training to administer naloxone, and links to additional information/ resources.
NO-COST Naloxone Nasal Spray & Carrying Cases
The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) has received a federal grant to support naloxone distribution efforts. In partnership with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and VACP, naloxone is being provided to first responder agencies at no-cost! Organizations eligible to receive FREE naloxone under this grant includes law enforcement agencies, non-ems fire service agencies, and corrections/jails located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. To obtain naloxone nasal spray at no cost from VDH, visit the links listed below.
https://redcap.vdh.virginia.gov/redcap/surveys/?s=RX9K7Y3KEK
If you do not have a current MOU with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) to obtain free naloxone, please use this link to begin the application process. A physicians prescription is not needed. *NOTE: VDH will respond to applications by sending an MOU using DocuSign. Please watch for this email after submitting an application.
EMS Agencies
http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/emergency-medical-services/administration-finance/rsaf-grants-program/
Licensed emergency medical services (EMS) agencies remain eligible for no-cost naloxone through the Nasal Naloxone for EMS Agencies (NNEA) grant opportunity administered by the VDH Office of Emergency Medical Services.
No-Cost Naloxone Order Form
https://redcap.vdh.virginia.gov/redcap/surveys/?s=DJ3YMDL8NP
Use this form to place an order for Narcan. You must have a current MOU on file with the Virginia Department of Health for provision of naloxone. A physicians prescription is not needed.
Return Request (disposal of expired/unused naloxone)
https://redcap.vdh.virginia.gov/redcap/surveys/?s=DA3NPWD38Y
Use this form if you have expired or unused naloxone kits that you would like to return to the Virginia Department of Health, Division of Pharmacy Services.
Reporting
https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/epidemiology/naloxone/naloxone-reports/
Follow this link to submit monthly / annual data related to dispensing/administering/inventory of naloxone nasal spray that was provided at no-cost by the Virginia Department of Health, Division of Pharmacy Services.
Naloxone Carrying Cases (FREE for Virginia First Responders)
View Available Cases
FREE CASE ORDER FORM
To obtain a FREE temperature-controlled Naloxone Carrying Case, please use the links above. These cases are available to first responder agencies in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Because supplies are limited, orders are subject to review before processing. For general questions, please contact Stephanie Diaz at stephanie@vachiefs.org.
*The funds for carrying cases have been depleted for the current fiscal year, but will be available again after October 1, 2023.
About Naloxone
Naloxone is an opioid antagonist drug that reverses the effects that opioids have in the brain. When a person overdoses on opioids, the opioid overwhelms specific receptors in the brain, slowly decreasing respiration and heart rate before finally stopping it altogether. Naloxone has a very high affinity for these receptors and effectively pushes the opioid off of the brain receptor. This action allows a person’s body to resume respiration. Naloxone has been used for years by emergency medical technicians and emergency room doctors to reverse opioid overdose emergencies. Outside of this singular purpose, naloxone has no effect on the body, and poses no danger to anyone who accidentally administers it to themselves or someone else.
General Information: Virginia Department of Health (VDH) webpage that contains general information on Naloxone and FAQ’S.
REVIVE! for First Responders Training
REVIVE! is the Opioid Overdose and Naloxone Education (OONE) program for the Commonwealth of Virginia. You must complete the REVIVE for First Responders training if you are with one of the following types of agencies located in the Commonwealth of Virginia and plan to receive naloxone at no cost through the grant program: Law Enforcement (sheriff’s, police, campus, military police), Fire Departments, Jails / Correctional Facilities, Probation and Parole, Court Services, Juvenile justice, and State Parks / Forestry. REVIVE! for First Responders offers two level of trainings for first responders:
REVIVE! for First Responders Basic Rescuer Training: REVIVE! for First Responders Basic Rescuer Training: This training certifies attendees to carry and administer Naloxone in the event of an opioid overdose emergency. The training is between 1-1.5 hours long, and covers understanding the opioid crisis in Virginia, the roles of first responders, Virginia Code, naloxone access in Virginia, harm reduction, risk factors for opioid overdoses, how opioid overdoses happen, how naloxone works, recognizing and responding to an opioid overdose emergency, the leave-behind program, the risk of fentanyl exposure to first responders, and responder fatigue. To request a training in your area or for questions about this training program, please contact AJ Starke at ajstarke@vachiefs.org or (804) 729-4361.
REVIVE! for First Responders Train the Trainer: Successful completion of this training program is required to become a Certified Trainer of the REVIVE! Basic Training. This training program is approximately 2 hours long and covers understanding opioids, how opioid overdoses happen, risk factors for opioid overdoses, how to respond to an opioid overdose emergency with the administration of Naloxone, and the administrative requirements to conduct REVIVE! trainings. To view scheduled trainings, please visit the VACP Calendar. To request a training in your area or for questions about REVIVE! trainings, please contact FR Naloxone Program Director, Stephanie Diaz, at stephanie@vachiefs.org.
REVIVE! for First Responders Training Resources: A private webpage has been created for trainers and master trainers containing the training presentation and guides, required documentation, information on submission of required documentation, along with other resources. To receive access to this page, please contact FR Naloxone Program Director, Stephanie Diaz, at stephanie@vachiefs.org.
Opioid Overdose and Naloxone Education for Private Citizens: The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) manages the REVIVE trainings for private citizens. For more information on the REVIVE! Lay Persons trainings, please go to this link: https://dbhds.virginia.gov/behavioral-health/substance-abuse-services/revive/
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Isotonitazene - DEA Notice
- Isotonitazene - The Sun article
- Xylazine - FDA Alert (Please note - Xylazine is not an opioid, therefore naloxone will not counteract a xylazine overdose.)
Program Reports
- Evaluation and Impact Assessment of Virginia's REVIVE! for First Responder Training Program - 2021 Update
- Evaluation and Impact Assessment of Virginia's REVIVE! for First Responder Training Program
Notices / Bulletins
- VACP Executive Bulletin: VACP update from Virginia Department of Health on No-Cost Naloxone Distribution Program.
- Statewide Naloxone Prescription Order for Virginia First Responders: First responder agencies located in the Commonwealth of Virginia no longer have to go to a physician to obtain a prescription to enable them to order and administer naloxone! The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has included all Virginia first responder agencies in their Statewide Standing Order for Naloxone (prescription) as long as they have completed a training program in accordance with the policies and procedures of their governing agency/employer. Please click on the link to view the NEW Statewide Standing Order. (January 14, 2022)
- SAMSHA Bulletin: Guidance from SAMHSA for First Responders administering naloxone during pandemic.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): SAMHSA has issued a letter certifying that opioid treatment services are essential medical services. The letter confirms the need of personal protective equipment to be used by professionals who provide these services, and that the ordering of PPE supplies is for a legitimate need and purpose. Please feel free to share this information within your agency and with opioid treatment service providers in your localities. (SAMHSA is the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation.)
Virginia Code Concerning Safe Reporting and Liability Exemption
- § 18.2-251.03. Safe Reporting of Overdoses
- § 8.01-225. Persons Rendering Emergency Care, Obstetrical Services Exempt from Liability
Opioid Overdose Toolkits, Research Articles, & Information
- How to give Narcan® to a K9
- SAMHSA Overdose Prevention Toolkit - Five Essential Steps for First Responders
- ASA - Opioid Overdose Resuscitation
- NIH - Opioid Overdose Reversal with Naloxone
- Bureau of Justice Assistance's Law Enforcement Naloxone Toolkit Information
- RAND Corporation Research Report E-book: Law Enforcement Efforts to Fight the Opioid Crisis
- Office of National Drug Control Policy Advisory: Fentanyl Safety Recommendations for Law Enforcement
- John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health: Policing and the Opioid Crisis – Standards of Care
- John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health: A Roadmap for Reducing Stigma on Opioid Addiction
Naloxone Videos (while not Virginia-specific, with useful information)
- NIH - How Naloxone Saves Lives
- VDH - Recognizing and Responding to an Opioid Overdose
- AMA How to Use Naloxone
- Training on Using 4 Types of Naloxone
- NASN Naloxone Training
- Naloxone Project Dawn Training Video
- NY Naloxone Update for Law Enforcement
- Official Narcan Video – How to Use Narcan Nasal Spray
- Key Steps to Administering Naloxone Nasal Spray
