This Sunday, Aug. 31, is Overdose Awareness Day. To honor the day and raise awareness around the opioid crisis, the Roanoke Valley Collective Response hosted a community event to remember those lost to overdose and share resources with the community, including harm reduction, treatment options, counseling and workforce development.

Overdose remains a leading cause of preventable death in Virginia. On Wednesday, August 27 from 5 to 7 p.m., the Roanoke Valley Collective Response will host a community event at the Taubman Museum of Art to honor lives lost, raise awareness, and connect people with resources as part of International Overdose Awareness Day.

The Roanoke Valley Collective Response received $500,000 to continue their opioid recovery network in Roanoke.

Substance abuse numbers continue to rise in Roanoke, as officials work together to combat addiction.

The Roanoke Valley Collective Response was awarded awarded $1.4 million and will use the money to develop a peer recovery network for substance abuse.

ROANOKE, Va. The effort to stop opioid abuse and addiction in the Roanoke Valley just became more organized. Roanoke Valley Collective Response released its three-year blueprint to rehabilitate addicts and prevent others from falling victim to drugs. They say it takes a group effort to counter a subject as serious as opioids. According to the group, 300 people in the Roanoke Valley died of a drug overdose between 2015 and 2018. You can read the groups blueprint against addiction at this link.

ROANOKE, Va. Candidates running for the 5th District Congressional race, will take part in a candidate forum. Virginia Tech holds a webinar today on racism, justice and community resilience. Panelists include the Virginia Tech Police Chief, several faculty members and a representative from the local NAACP chapter. The discussion begins at 3:30 p.m.Today is National Teddy Bear Day. Today from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., you can get a free ice cream cone with the donation of a stuffed animal.