Community Prevention Programs & Initiatives
Alcohol, Tobacco, & Other Drugs
Counter Tools/Merchant Education is an environmental strategy designed to educate tobacco retailers about the law and the harmful effects of selling tobacco products to underage youth.
At least every two years, prevention specialists and/or coalition members visit 100% of tobacco retailers in the New River Valley. During the visit, a store audit is completed, which verifies the store’s location and provides information about tobacco products, pricing, placement, and promotions. Materials, such as “We Card” signs are provided at no cost to the retailer, along with education about the consequences of underage sales. Retailers are asked to sign a pledge stating they will check the ID of anyone appearing to be under the age of 27 who is purchasing tobacco.
Counter Tools/Merchant Education is a public health approach for prevention, not enforcement; however, retailers who are found to be in violation during compliance checks by law enforcement are referred for annual merchant education visits.
Opioid & Heroin Prevention
REVIVE! is the Opioid Overdose and Naloxone Education (OONE) program for the Commonwealth of Virginia. REVIVE! provides training to professionals, stakeholders, and others on how to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose emergency with the administration of naloxone (Narcan®).
REVIVE! is a collaborative effort led by the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) working alongside the Virginia Department of Health, the Virginia Department of Health Professionals, recovery community organizations such as the McShin Foundation, OneCare of Southwest Virginia, the Substance Abuse and Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia (SAARA), and other stakeholders.
Click here to find an upcoming REVIVE! training near you.
“The Face of Addiction is Mine” is a public awareness campaign focused on the dangers of prescription drug misuse and heroin overdose.
Facebook: @TheFaceofAddictionisMine
Twitter: @FaceAddiction
Instagram: @TheFaceofAddictionisMine