{"id":933,"date":"2023-08-22T14:19:19","date_gmt":"2023-08-22T18:19:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/portsmouth\/?page_id=933"},"modified":"2026-03-11T11:54:00","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T15:54:00","slug":"overdose-prevention-substance-abuse-resources","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/portsmouth\/overdose-prevention-substance-abuse-resources\/","title":{"rendered":"Overdose Prevention\/Substance Use Resources"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>Portsmouth Overdose Prevention &amp; Harm Reduction Services<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">The Portsmouth Health Department is committed to reducing overdose deaths, preventing the spread of infectious diseases, and connecting individuals to essential care, treatment, and support. Our services are free, confidential, and available to all community members.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1097\" src=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/125\/PathGraphic-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"Graphic decorative image.\" width=\"206\" height=\"206\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/125\/PathGraphic-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/125\/PathGraphic.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 206px) 100vw, 206px\" \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>PATH: Portsmouth Access to Harm Reduction<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">The Portsmouth Health Department is proud to launch PATH: Portsmouth Access to Harm Reduction, a comprehensive harm reduction program dedicated to improving the health and well\u2011being of people who use drugs and the broader Portsmouth community.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>PATH will open March 16, 2026, located at the Portsmouth Health Department.<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">This initiative is part of an evidence\u2011based statewide effort to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Reduce the spread of HIV, hepatitis C, and other infections<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Prevent overdose deaths<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Provide judgment\u2011free, person-centered care<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Connect individuals to health and social services<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">No appointment is necessary. Walk-ins are welcome.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>PATH Hours of Operation<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>Monday \u2013 Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. \u2013 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. \u2013 3:00 p.m.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>Thursday: 12:30 p.m. \u2013 3:00 p.m.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>Services Provided by PATH<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">PATH offers a range of free*, confidential harm reduction services, including:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Access to sterile supplies to reduce the spread of HIV, hepatitis C, and other infections<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Safe disposal of used supplies<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Overdose prevention education and free naloxone<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">HIV and hepatitis C testing* with linkage to treatment<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Referrals to substance use treatment, primary medical care, mental health services, and social support resources<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Education on safer use, wound care, and general health topics<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>*<\/strong>Cost of testing may vary based on income and eligibility<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>StoryMap: Learn More About Data related to Substance Use in Portsmouth<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Explore our interactive StoryMap to learn more about substance use trends, harm reduction services, and community resources in Portsmouth.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>View the StoryMap: <\/strong><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/arcg.is\/0nKH5q0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">https:\/\/arcg.is\/0nKH5q0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<table style=\"background-color: lightgray;\" width=\"100%\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"100%\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>What is Naloxone?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Naloxone blocks or reverses the effects of opioids, including extreme drowsiness, slowed breathing, or loss of consciousness. An opioid is sometimes called a narcotic. Naloxone is used to treat a narcotic overdose in an emergency situation. This medicine should not be used in place of emergency medical care for an overdose.\u00a0 Always call EMS or 9-1-1 immediately.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Make sure you obtain and carry naloxone to reverse an opioid overdose. You can save a life.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Additionally, Portsmouth Health Department provides dispensing of naloxone free of charge.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h3><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>RESOURCES \u2013 OPIOID DATA &amp; RESOURCES<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/data\/opioid-overdose\/\"><strong>Virginia Opioid Addiction Indicators Dashboard (Virginia Department of Health)<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/medical-examiner\/forensic-epidemiology\/\"><strong>Virginia Fatal Drug Overdose Data (Virginia Department of Health)<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/surveillance-and-investigation\/syndromic-surveillance\/drug-overdose-surveillance\/\"><strong>Virginia Emergency Department Visits for Drug Overdose Data (Virginia Department of Health)<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/minorityaidssupport.org\/\"><strong>Minority Aids Support Services | Hampton Roads, VA<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>NEW LAWS AROUND SAFE REPORTING AND SYRINGE EXCHANGE<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Virginia has passed a series of laws that protect people reporting overdoses and those participating in needle exchange programs.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>Virginia\u2019s Good Samaritan Overdose Law<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><em>SSB 667: Safe Reporting \u2014 Effective July 1, 2020<br \/>\n<\/em>No one is subject to arrest or prosecution for drugs\/paraphernalia if seeking emergency medical attention for themselves or others who are overdosing. Individuals are expected to remain at the scene and identify themselves to emergency services. This law acts as affirmative defense; admitting that there was a crime but offering an explanation or justification for the incident.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/content\/uploads\/sites\/119\/2020\/09\/SafeReportingPrint.pdf\"><strong>VCU Rams in Recovery Flyer: Calling 911 on an Overdose Just Got Safer (PDF)<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>Comprehensive Harm Reduction Programs Laws<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">Virginia law protects participants in needle exchange programs by stating that\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/title32.1\/chapter2\/section32.1-45.4\/\"><strong>laws prohibiting the possession of a controlled substance, drug paraphernalia, and controlled paraphernalia shall not apply<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0to any person acting on behalf or for the benefit of a comprehensive harm reduction program when such possession is incidental to the provision of services as part of a comprehensive harm reduction program.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>CONTACT<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif;\">To schedule a training for your organization or have our mobile unit attend your event, please contact the Overdose Prevention Team at \u00a0(757) 353-9925 or contact\u00a0D\u2019andrea Jones at <a href=\"mailto:dandrea.jones@vdh.virginia.gov\">dandrea.jones@vdh.virginia.gov<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Portsmouth Overdose Prevention &amp; Harm Reduction Services The Portsmouth Health Department is committed to reducing overdose deaths, preventing the spread of infectious diseases, and connecting individuals to essential care, treatment, and support. Our services are free, confidential, and available to all community members. PATH: Portsmouth Access to Harm Reduction The Portsmouth Health Department is proud [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":129,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-933","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Overdose Prevention\/Substance Use Resources - Portsmouth Health District<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/portsmouth\/overdose-prevention-substance-abuse-resources\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Overdose Prevention\/Substance Use Resources - Portsmouth Health District\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Portsmouth Overdose Prevention &amp; Harm Reduction Services The Portsmouth Health Department is committed to reducing overdose deaths, preventing the spread of infectious diseases, and connecting individuals to essential care, treatment, and support. 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