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VDH and VACP describe free naloxone distribution, eligible agencies and July 1 safe‑reporting updates
Summary
Presenters from the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police and a VDH commenter explained how law enforcement and other public agencies can receive free naloxone and related supplies, listed eligible agency types, and reviewed June/July code updates expanding safe‑reporting protections and paraphernalia exceptions effective July 1.
Stephanie Diaz, representing the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police (VACP), and other panelists described programs that supply naloxone, training and equipment to eligible agencies and explained recent changes to Virginia’s safe‑reporting and paraphernalia laws.
Diaz summarized the VACP partnership with the Revive program and Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and said the first‑responder naloxone program provides free naloxone, carrying cases, wall mounts, fentanyl test strips and training. She listed eligible organization types under the program: law enforcement agencies, jails and correctional facilities, probation and parole, juvenile justice (state and local), emergency communications and dispatch, forestry and state parks law enforcement, fire departments, EMS/rescue squads, and other similarly situated agencies.
On distribution logistics and how to obtain supplies, a VDH commenter in the webinar chat said that individuals may get no‑cost naloxone from community service boards or local health departments, and that organizations such as police departments and sheriff’s offices should contact VDH to inquire about group supplies. The VDH contact provided in the session was opioidreversal@vdh.virginia.gov.
Diaz and the panel also described statutory changes effective July 1 that expand safe‑reporting protections. The presenters said the amendments add reporting related to sexual violence victims to the safe‑reporting provision (so persons seeking emergency care for victims are shielded from arrest/prosecution for certain listed offenses) and extend protections to people whose release or supervision status (bail, probation, parole, supervised release, furlough, etc.) might otherwise be affected. They also said the controlled‑paraphernalia exception that previously excluded fentanyl testing strips has been broadened to exempt all drug‑checking products—used or unused—from the definition of controlled paraphernalia.
Diaz emphasized that the safe‑reporting protections have some limits: a person claiming the protections must remain at the scene (or an alternate specified location), identify themselves when law enforcement arrives, and the exemptions do not cover unrelated offenses, such as illegal weapons or evidence obtained during execution of a lawful search warrant.
Ending
Panelists encouraged agencies that want naloxone kits, training, or related supplies to contact VDH at the session address and to consult the VACP/Revive training calendar for train‑the‑trainer opportunities.
