[Archived] Emily Bentley Selected as City's Opioid Response Coordinator

For immediate release: January 24, 2019

The City of Alexandria selected Emily Bentley, LPC, as the Opioid Response Coordinator, a new position created by the Alexandria City Council to lead the City’s response to the local effects of the national opioid epidemic, which poses a significant threat to public health in Alexandria.

Opioids are a class of highly addictive drugs used to reduce pain and include prescription opioids like oxycodone and hydrocodone, as well as illegal opioids like heroin. Those impacted range from persons with addiction and their children and families to community neighborhoods, schools, employers and health and social services.

Bentley will provide strategic direction to the City’s multidimensional approach to the crisis, which focuses on five key areas: prevention and education, addiction treatment, overdose response and recovery, diversion into treatment, and supply reduction and law enforcement strategies. 

Bentley has significant experience managing and providing direct clinical services to persons with substance use disorders.  Most recently, she managed the City’s substance use residential treatment programs. In addition, Bentley served on the state-wide workgroup that developed the REVIVE training curriculum, which provides basic opioid education and training to administer Naloxone, a medicine that can save the life of someone overdosing. REVIVE trainings are available to community members, professionals and anyone interested in knowing more about opioids and overdose reversal. Bentley is a native Alexandrian with strong ties to the community. 

For more information on the City’s response to the opioid crisis and treatment options, please visit alexandriava.gov/Opioids.