Sept. 3 event will include a resource fair, Revive! training, expert speakers
The second annual Regional Recovery Day, hosted by the counties of Henrico, Chesterfield and Hanover and the city of Richmond, will take place Wednesday, Sept. 3 and share expert insight, resources and hope for those struggling with a substance use disorder.
The event will be held from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Henrico Sports & Events Center, 1 All Star Boulevard. Admission is free and open to the public. A complimentary sandwich and drink will be provided. Parents of school-aged children are strongly encouraged to attend, so they can increase their awareness of the dangers and help keep their loved ones safe.
Organized in support of September as National Recovery Month, Regional Recovery Day will feature a keynote address by Dr. Stephen Loyd, who will discuss his personal and professional experiences with substance use disorder and recovery. Loyd is in long-term recovery and serves as vice president of the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners. He inspired the character portrayed by actor Michael Keaton in the television miniseries “Dopesick,” which explores America’s struggle with opioid addiction.
Regional Recovery Day also will include a panel discussion featuring residents in recovery as well as two breakout sessions. One session, which is intended for general audiences, will focus on loving someone with a substance use disorder. A separate session, which will be open to judges, police and attorneys, will address recovery and the criminal justice system.
Attendees will be able to visit a community resource fair that will feature more than 75 vendors, including providers of treatment, recovery and prevention services. They also will be able to try AcuWellness, a form of acupuncture that promotes relaxation and treats cravings. In addition, guests will be able to receive Revive! training on the administration of naloxone, a nasal spray medication used to temporarily revive someone following an overdose of opioids.
“As a region, we are committed to providing the support, information and resources needed to those who are struggling with substance misuse and addiction,” Henrico Board of Supervisors Chair Dan Schmitt said. “Regional Recovery Day shares a message of understanding and hope. It lets individuals as well as their families and loved ones know there’s a community of support that’s eager to help them. No one has to face these challenges alone.”
“Because substance use disorder can be a matter of life and death, and because very few families have not been touched in some way by addiction, Regional Recovery Day is one of the most important ways, of many, we collaborate as a region,” Chesterfield Board of Supervisors Chair Jim Ingle said. “By showing compassion and working with a shared sense of purpose, we can help people take steps toward a new life and enduring recovery.”
“Recovery is possible, and no one should have to walk that road alone. Regional Recovery Day is a chance for us to come together as neighbors, share hope and remind one another that help is out there,” Hanover Board of Supervisors Chair F. Michael Herzberg IV said. “I’m grateful Hanover can stand alongside our regional partners to support those on their journey and the families who love them.”
“Regional Recovery Day is a powerful reminder that no one has to walk the road to recovery alone. By bringing together experts, community resources and the voices of those who have lived this journey, we are breaking down stigma, building understanding and offering hope,” Richmond Mayor Danny Avula said. “I encourage every parent, neighbor and friend to join our regional partners in supporting those impacted by substance use disorder and learning how we can all be part of the solution.”
Regional Recovery Day attracted more than 700 guests last September. For more information, visit recovery.henrico.gov.
