Virginia Department of Health handing out Naloxone for free

Naloxone is now easier to get across Virginia. It's an antidote that's used to reverse an overdose. People who help those addicted to opiates like heroin are hoping it will make a difference.

The Virginia Department of Health provides it. At Blue Ridge Behavioral Health, they train people on how to use it. It's the latest effort in the state's fight against the opioid crisis.

Steve Ratliff, Blue Ridge Behavioral Health, said, “They're not those other people, they're our neighbors, they're our co-workers, there are people all around us.”

Steve Ratliff with Blue Ridge Behavioral Health says addiction affects everyone, and Naloxone is a life-saving strategy.

“It buys people time,” said Ratliff. “It gives them the chance to get treatment when otherwise they would just die.”

He says making it more readily available is an important piece of the puzzle. Blue Ridge Behavioral Health is working with the health department, which said in a letter this summer that "an all hands on deck approach" is the only way to effectively address the problem. At the Bradley Free Clinic, Janine Underwood applauds the move, but says naloxone is not a permanent solution.

Janine Underwood, Bradley Free Clinic, said, “Your loved one also needs to get into treatment. There's two parts of it.

Ratliff trains people on three types of Naloxone, and also how to recognize an overdose. He says people need training before they can pick up that free dose from the Department of Health.

“The more people that can carry it the better,” he said.

Steve understands critics who say Naloxone enables people to overdose, but he says the alternative is unacceptable.

“Would we choose to let our neighbor die? I don't think we would,” he said.

The Naloxone training, known as REVIVE is free and open to everyone. It is available the 2nd of each month from 6:30-7:30 at 611 McDowell Avenue, Roanoke. People are asked to call Steve Ratliff at 540-266-9200 for more information.

You can get Naloxone from the Virginia Department of Health at 1502 Williamson Rd. NE, Roanoke on Friday from 9am-3pm. For more information, you can call the health department at 540-283-5050.