Description should include

the experience in Virginia regarding opioid use mirrors that of the United States
Virginia-based trends and demographic information
the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Declaration of a Public Health Emergency, November 21, 2016

Statewide Standing Order for Naloxone and Other Opioid Reversal Agents, March 5, 2024
REVIVE!, Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS)

legislation to address the crisis in Virginia (i.e., House Bill 2161 and Senate Bill 1179, which require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to convene a workgroup to establish educational guidelines for training healthcare providers in the safe prescribing and appropriate use of opioids)
the development and impact of Virginia’s Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) as a near “real-time” central database containing information used primarily by healthcare providers to better inform treatment and dispensing decisions
the development of public awareness campaigns (e.g., One Pill Can Kill, Revive! Opioid Overdose and Naloxone Education [OONE], Rx Awareness)
the development of curricula and educational standards regarding opioid addiction.

Teacher Resource: Fatal Drug Overdose Trends (Quarterly Drug Death Reports), Office of the Medical Examiner, VDH

Process/Skill Questions:

When did Virginia begin to see a surge in opioid overdose? What educational organizations will be tasked with providing opioid training to their students?
What is the benefit of educating future medical professionals about opioid addiction?
What is the current attitude in society about opioid use and addiction?
How are local communities affected by the opioid epidemic?