Addiction

Fatal overdoses have increased in Virginia during the coronavirus pandemic by nearly 42 percent in 2020 when compared to 2019. While the state is on track this year for another record-breaking number of drug deaths, there are people looking to get clean and others lending a hand in recovery.

Former Richmond city police captain Mike Zohab is now leading the Virginia Recovery Foundation, advocating for addiction treatment over incarceration.

Virginia Tech professor, Dr. Carlin Rafie works with a task force focused on rehabilitative care, drug courts, prevention education and awareness campaigns. Her work is focused on communities in Southwest Virginia hit hardest by the opioid epidemic.