Health and Medicine
RAYSAC held its annual legislator roundtable event this morning, with the opioid crisis at the heart of the discussion. The growing presence of fentanyl-laced drugs in the area was one focus. The Council of Community Services addressed the “Roanoke Area Youth Substance Abuse Coalition” forum (about its needle exchange program), as did a representative from the Botetourt-Craig County drug court. The roundtable was virtual this year. Don’t assume marijuana purchased on the street is free of the deadly opioid either says Joseph Carucci with the local DEA office:
So who should get the new COVID booster shot that’s focused on the Omicron variants? Everyone over the age of 12 is eligible and should consider it says Dr. Cynthia Morrow with the Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts. There are also two reported recent cases of West Nile Virus in the Vinton area; Morrow urged local residents during her media briefing today to get rid of any standing water in yards where mosquitoes can breed.
September is “Suicide Prevention Month” and several local organizations will honor that designation with several free training sessions – how to spot the warning signs that someone may take their life. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
Click here for more on free training sessions
Roanoke’s first taco festival will double as the first major fundraiser for a local organization that benefits Roanoke’s mothers. WFIR’s Emma Thomas with more:
Click here to save on tickets to Taco Fest
Many older, low-income adults in Virginia struggle to pay for medicine, food, and rent – and they may be unaware of the many programs that are available to help them. WFIR’s Ian Price has more.
Click HERE to check your benefits and see if there are any you are missing out on.
Virginia Tech’s newest well-being initiative aims to combat rising mental health struggles among college students. WFIR’s Emma Thomas with details:
Roanoke author and former Roanoke Times journalist Beth Macy has just released her fourth book, “Raising Lazarus – Hope, Justice and the Future of America’s Overdose Crisis,” a follow up to the best selling-book and later a Hulu miniseries – “Dopesick.” Beth Macy will launch “Raising Lazarus” locally tonight, with a “Book No Further” event being held at Charter Hall in the City Market building. She spoke with WFIR’s Gene Marrano about Raising Lazarus on Friday … and here is a Longer Listen:
Click here for link to Book No Further event at Charter Hall tonight