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New River Health District outlines harm-reduction outreach, reports 183 overdose reversals
Summary
Dr. Noelle Bissell told Montgomery County supervisors the New River Health District’s RISE Above harm-reduction program has enrolled clients since Jan. 14, recorded 183 overdose reversals, nearly 350 naloxone doses used and five participant deaths; she also reviewed tick-borne disease, radon risks, and seasonal respiratory trends.
Dr. Noelle Bissell, representing the New River Health District, briefed the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors on the district’s harm-reduction and public-health work, stressing nonjudgmental outreach and connections to treatment.
"RISE Above is our substance use and harm reduction program," Bissell said, describing services funded through the regional recovery-ecosystem opioid-abatement grant. She said the program provides education, outreach, wound care kits, hygiene kits, naloxone, test strips and syringe-distribution services. "We provide so much more with our harm reduction...everything is about education," she said.
Bissell cited program data through September: cumulative visits have risen, with returning patients showing trust in services; the team has reversed 183 overdoses, recorded five participant deaths and used almost 350 doses of naloxone. She warned that although methamphetamine is the leading drug in the district, much of the supply is laced with fentanyl: "A very small dose of fentanyl is fatal," she said, and staff provide test strips and naloxone accordingly.
Bissell emphasized social barriers to recovery—housing instability (she said roughly 70% of clients lack stable housing), unreliable transportation and stigma—and described outreach through a mobile clinic and peer staff in recovery. She said the district aims to connect clients to treatment providers, community health centers and housing resources.
Beyond substance use, Bissell reviewed vector-borne and environmental risks. She said New River Valley is in a radon belt and recommended testing for homes; she also said Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses are more concerning locally than mosquito-borne threats. On respiratory viruses, Bissell said regional trends remain low but are expected to rise seasonally and urged vaccination and early diagnosis when symptoms appear.
Board members thanked Bissell and asked brief follow-ups on Lyme prevention and program outreach.
