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Chesterfield County opioid-abatement coalition reports expanded treatment access, naloxone distribution
Summary
Karen Short of the Chesterfield County Opioid Abatement Coalition told the council the county expanded medication-assisted treatment and harm-reduction efforts this year, citing 410 people served by Alpha Center and 292 naloxone boxes distributed; the coalition plans to submit a 2026 GPS grant proposal imminently.
Karen Short, speaking to the Chesterfield County Council on Nov. 5, said the county's opioid-abatement coalition (COAC) has expanded access to treatment, strengthened overdose response and increased harm-reduction outreach in 2025. "Together, these partners have expanded access to treatment services," Short said, citing partnerships with the Alpha Center, the county sheriff's narcotics division and the Department of Public Health.
The presentation said Alpha Center now serves 410 individuals, with 72 active medication-assisted-treatment (MAT) clients; a clinical council funded through abatement resources manages a caseload of 67 clients and includes three pregnant women currently in treatment. Short described the coalition's diversion-to-treatment work at the Chesterfield County Detention Center and said the diversion coordinator directly responded to 22 suspected overdoses and administered eight naloxone resuscitations, and that 12 individuals were diverted to detox and ongoing services.
Short also described supply-reduction and harm-reduction activities: law enforcement's drug take-back efforts have resulted in 55.5 pounds of narcotics seized for DEA disposal, and COAC has distributed 292 naloxone boxes, fentanyl/xylazine detect kits and hygiene kits countywide. The coalition is expanding public education through broadcast, podcasts, mobile billboards and printed materials and plans quarterly trainings; Short cited a countywide training facilitated by Dr. Demi Garvin of the forensic science network on emerging substances.
According to Short, county data from the Department of Public Health show 88 suspected overdoses and 35 naloxone deployments since Jan. 1, with 12 confirmed overdose deaths so far this year; primary substances remain fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine. Short said COAC is revising a 2026 GPS grant proposal per PD COG staff suggestions and intends to submit the final application by the next day.
Council members thanked Short and noted earmarked funds that had been anticipated for the coroner's office renovation were no longer available; Short identified potential grant sources and abatement resources as partial remedies. The coalition said it will produce a year-end report in January 2025 summarizing expenditures, implemented strategies and outcomes.
The council took no formal action tied to Short's presentation during the meeting; staff and council discussed coordinating the community action plan and next steps ahead of future grant submissions.
