Learn more about Project Lead at the Digital Desk with Tes La Dieu.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) – Project LEAD is working to make changes on the Peninsula.

In Hampton and Newport News, the substance use disorder and opioid response program aims to address the epidemic happening in the community.

Tes La Dieu, Population Health Coordinator with Hampton and Peninsula Health Districts, talked about the program at the Digital Desk. Watch the conversation in the video player on this page.

The program opened in January 2023. It’s the first of its kind for the Hampton and Peninsula Health Districts.

The mission is to reduce opioid overdose deaths in the cities of Hampton and Newport News. According to Project LEAD, both of those cities have higher overdose death rates than the commonwealth of Virginia as a whole.

According to the Virginia Department of Health, in 2022 there were 2,490 drug overdose deaths. Many involved fentanyl. Almost eight of every ten drug overdose deaths involved fentanyl, fentanyl analogs, and tramadol.

Project LEAD stands for and uses four strategies: Linkages, Education, Awareness and Data.

“Our goal and our effort is to ultimately reduce overdose deaths both by helping our community directly but then working with those organizations so that we’re all speaking the same language and sharing data,” La Dieu said.

They connect community members to network partners including VDH State Agencies, city agencies, local Community Services Boards, Counseling Services and more.

La Dieu said it’s about meeting people where they are, and help them find the social services they need.

“Whether that is to help them into recovery – then that’s great – whether that’s connecting individuals to maybe food and housing services or gas or rent assistance – that’s great too,” La Dieu said. “Anything that we can do to really help people take control of their lives again and get the help they really need is why we’re doing this.”

Focusing on linkages, they utilize a platform called “Unite Us” to screen individuals for services they might need, all at once. Other organizations in the community are also using the platform.

If you would like to be screened for services, put your information on Project LEAD’s website and they will give you a call.

“In the last six months alone we’ve seen over 800 clients, and a lot of them are getting connected, about two referrals per client,” La Dieu said. “So, we are meeting about two needs per person.”

This week, Fentanyl Awareness Day gave organizations an opportunity to educate the public and make them more aware of the dangers of fentanyl poisoning, possible from fake pills and other drugs.

On Tuesday, in partnership with the City of Newport News’ EMS CARE Team, Project LEAD distributed free naloxone harm reduction resource kits, drug testing strips and other supplies in the community.

To educate and spread awareness, Project LEAD offers REVIVE! Training and Naloxone/ Narcan Distribution to organizations. Find out more and fill out an application here.

Visit vdh.virginia.gov to learn more about Project LEAD, find resources, and more.

Watch the full Digital Desk segment with La Dieu to find out more about the program, in the video player on this page.