Regional Recovery Day puts substance abuse recovery within reach

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- A regional event is reminding communities that recovery from substance abuse is possible, and providing the resources to make it happen.

The second annual Regional Recovery Day on Wednesday, Sept. 3, is hosted by Henrico, Chesterfield and Hanover counties, and the city of Richmond, to share insight, resources and inspire hope for those struggling with a substance-use disorder.

According to data from the Virginia Department of Health, all of those areas have a higher need for drug-overdose prevention and intervention strategies.

Preliminary data for 2024 from VDH shows 1,403 drug overdose deaths in the state, a 43% decrease from 2023. Eight out of 10 of those deaths involved fentanyl, fentanyl analogs -- alterations of fentanyl -- or tramadol.

Wednesday's free event at Henrico Sports and Events Center will have a community resource fair to connect people with treatment, recovery and prevention services.

The Regional Recovery Day will also feature expert speakers, including keynote speaker Dr. Stephen Loyd, who, according to the event's site, is "a person in long-term recovery, who serves as the Vice President of the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners and is the inspiration for the character portrayed by actor Michael Keaton in the mini series 'Dopesick.'"

Attendees can also receive REVIVE! trainings, which teach participants how to administer Narcan, a drug that can stop overdoses.

This event is from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., and is free to attend. More information can be found here.