County coalition reports expanded treatment, naloxone distribution in 2025
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Summary
County staff told the council COAC expanded medication‑assisted treatment and diversion‑to‑treatment work in 2025: Alpha serves 410 people (72 active MAT clients), diversion coordinator responded to 22 suspected overdoses with eight naloxone uses, and 292 naloxone boxes and drug-test kits were distributed.
Karen Short, speaking for the Chesterfield County Opioid Abatement Coalition (COAC), told the council on Nov. 5 that coordinated local efforts have expanded treatment access and harm‑reduction resources across the county.
Short said the community‑based Alpha program now serves about 410 people, including 72 active medication‑assisted treatment (MAT) clients and 3 pregnant women receiving care. She said an added clinical council manages a 67‑client caseload and that roughly 75% of clients have remained engaged more than 90 days.
COAC described expanded diversion‑to‑treatment work with the county detention center and law enforcement. Short said the diversion coordinator directly responded to 22 suspected overdoses and administered eight naloxone (Narcan) resuscitations; staff reported 12 people diverted to detox services and ongoing treatment.
Short also described enforcement and prevention activity: the sheriff’s narcotics division reported seizures totaling 55.5 pounds of narcotics that were transferred to the DEA, and the coalition has ordered freestanding Narcan distribution boxes to be installed at selected fire departments. COAC said it is revising a 2026 GPS grant proposal and plans to submit a final proposal by the next business day; year‑end grant reports will detail abatement expenditures and program outcomes.
Council members thanked Short for the update and discussed grant and coroner‑office renovation timing elsewhere on the agenda.
