PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Portsmouth Health Department partnered with local non-profits MLW Movement and the 757 Midnight Riders to put on "Cones and Chrome: Scoops for Awareness." It's part car show and health fair, all in an effort to save lives.
“We're just trying to raise awareness. We're also doing revive training. So we have 'save life kits' in which we teach, the community what to do in the event of an opioid overdose,” Ashanti Kincannon said.
Kincannon works for the health department and said Saturday afternoon's turnout was better than expected.
Saturday was also International Overdose Awareness Day, a day dedicated to ending overdose deaths through awareness and campaigns. According to the Virginia Department of Health, 73 people died due to opioid overdoses in 2023.
The Health Director of the Portsmouth DoH, Dr. Kavita Imirt-Thomas said moments like today create an opportunity to meet folks where they are and help where they can.
"In terms of seeing what are some of the obstacles to giving access to harm reduction. Which means decreasing HIV, hepatitis C, or some of the other things that come along together with it. This is critically important," Dr. Imirt-Thomas said.
Organizers said future events will be scheduled in the community.