The Richmond Ambulance Authority (RAA) and Daily Planet Health Services (DPHS) are partnering to raise awareness, highlight available recovery resources and educate the public on lifesaving measures on Monday, August 31st as both organizations recognize International Overdose Awareness Day. In the past 25 years, International Overdose Awareness Day has brought people from around the world together to remember those lost and take action to save lives.
In 2019, RAA launched “First Responders for Recovery,” an evidence-based program aimed at connecting those who use substances to recovery resources in the Metro Richmond area. Through the program, a Peer Recovery Specialist trained RAA Paramedics and EMTs on methods they could use to encourage patients to sign a “First Responders for Recovery” release form, allowing the Peer Recovery Specialist to contact the patient in hopes of connecting them with a recovery center.
In 2025, through a grant funded by the City of Richmond, RAA hired an internal Registered Peer Recovery Specialist (RPRS), building on the success of the original program. In the past few years, RAA has seen a steady decline in the number of responses to calls for overdose patients.
| RAA Overdose Calls | |
| Year | Patients |
| 2022 | 1,991 |
| 2023 | 1,967 |
| 2024 | 1,148 |
| 2025 | 1,042 |
| 2026 | 506 |
(Jan. – July)
“The efforts we are making to fight the opioid epidemic are paying off but there is still a lot of work left to be done,” said RAA RPRS Robyn Hantelman. “Through public education, increased accessibility to naloxone and a reduction in stigma, we can continue connecting those suffering from addiction to recovery resources and prevent deaths in our community.”
In 2017, DPHS was recognized as the first Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) Preferred Office-Based Opioid Treatment (OBOT) location in Virginia. DPHS offers integrated OBOT/OBAT services supported by psychiatry, behavioral health, primary care, peer recovery specialists and case management. In the past five years, DPHS has successfully launched and sustained multiple innovative programs that are supporting individuals and communities impacted by overdose.
On Monday, August 31st, RAA will join DPHS as they host an event to raise awareness and provide CPR demonstrations and important health information and resources to the community.
International Overdose Awareness Day Event
Daily Planet Health Services
517 West Grace Street
Richmond, VA 23220
7:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
RAA and DPHS are encouraging the public to come by and learn how everyone can play a role in improving the health of the community and help in the fight against addiction.
About Daily Planet Health Services
Established in 1969, Daily Planet Health Services’ (DPHS) is a federally qualified health center, receiving partial funding from the federal government. DPHS offers comprehensive health and supportive services including primary care, mental health, substance use, oral health, pharmacy, health education, case management and outreach. Serving Richmond City and surrounding counties, DPHS’ primary population is individuals experiencing homelessness and housing instability with a secondary population of the medically underserved, including those living in and around public housing and/or living with HIV. In calendar year 2025, DPHS served 9,558 unique patients over 62,788 encounters. As the only Healthcare for the Homeless federal grantee in the area, DPHS is uniquely positioned to respond to the healthcare needs of individuals experiencing homelessness. For more information, visit dailyplanetva.org.
About the Richmond Ambulance Authority: In 1991, the Richmond City Council and the City Manager implemented an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system that placed the patient first and guaranteed its performance to the City’s residents. Today, the Richmond Ambulance Authority responds to nearly 200 calls per day and transports, on average, 150 patients per day. RAA is one of only 14 EMS agencies in the United States accredited by both the Commission on the Accreditation of Ambulance Services and the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch. RAA is also a Commonwealth of Virginia Accredited Dispatch Center. RAA was recognized with the Governor’s EMS Award for Outstanding Contribution to EMS Health and Safety in 2025.
