CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — According to the Virginia Department of Health, more than 2,600 people died from drug overdoses in the state in 2022, and the number is expected to keep increasing yearly. That’s why a local nonprofit is trying to be part of the solution by providing training on using the life-saving drug, Narcan.
The training took place Wednesday at the Roundtrey Clubhouse and was organized by 2 End the Stigma, an organization founded seven years ago by Jill Chichowicz after her twin brother, Scott, died from a fentanyl overdose.
“There’s a myth that they believe the Narcan enables drug use,” said Chicowicz. “And I’ve learned so much since losing Scott, and I learned a lot of things that were not correct.”
For years, 2 End the Stigma has dedicated time and resources to make sure people across the state know about the signs of a drug overdose, but this is the first time the organization has been able to actually provide Narcan training.
Chicowicz says teaching children what to do in the event of an overdose is of utmost importance. Her son, Carter, says these lessons are something he can carry through his life.
“Before my uncle died, we knew barely anything about all these drugs that we know now,” he said. “And since, you know, we’ve educated ourselves on a lot of things and all these things that I learned now, I would never have known if [Scott] didn’t pass away.”
Chicowicz she hopes to take the Narcan training to schools, where students and faculty can learn how to administer the life-saving drug. She’s also pushing for lawmakers to pass legislation that would make the training available to schools across the state.
