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HTDPC Historic Triangle Drug Prevention Coalition
Committees
Committee

Policy & Legislative Advocacy

Supporting federal funding for substance misuse prevention, treatment, recovery support, and research.

Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services
2023 VA General Assembly

Committee Chairs

To Be Announced

JCC And Williamsburg Courthouse
Images

Tips, tricks, and downloadable templates for becoming a mental health and substance use treatment advocate in your community.

Advocacy Handbook
Policy & Legislative Advocacy

Enacting Laws

Policy and legislation play a critical role in addressing substance use by shaping environments, guiding public health responses, and influencing individual behavior.

Viriginia General Assembly

The Commonwealth's state legislature.

LIS Learning Center

The Virginia Law Portal is a public website, designed for desktop and mobile devices, that makes the laws of Virginia easier to search, navigate, and find. 

Did You Know?

Now You Do!

Virginia State Laws You May Not Have Known

Code of Virginia § 8.01-44.5
Dram Shop Law

In Virginia, alcohol providers are generally not held responsible for the actions of their customers after they leave the establishment, as the responsibility for harm caused by intoxication falls on the individual who consumed the alcohol.

*Dram shop laws make alcohol-serving establishments liable if they serve a visibly intoxicated person or a minor, and that person then causes injury or death to someone else.

  • If you are harmed by a drunk driver in Virginia, your personal injury claim can be filed against the intoxicated driver.
  • However, you cannot file a lawsuit against the bar, restaurant, or social host that may have over-served the driver under Virginia's common law
Code of Virginia § 8.01-225
Good Samaritan Law

Virginia's Good Samaritan Law provides legal protection for those who offer emergency assistance in good faith, shielding them from civil liability for unintentional harm caused during the rescue.

However, the protection does not cover actions like gross negligence, willful misconduct, or providing aid while under the influence of alcohol. The law also has specific provisions that offer protection against misdemeanor drug or underage alcohol offenses if the person calls 911 for help for someone else.

  • Overdose and alcohol emergency calls: 
    A person will not be prosecuted for a misdemeanor drug-related offense or an underage alcohol offense if law enforcement only learned about it because they called 911 for emergency assistance for another person.
  • Requirements for this specific protection:
Act in "good faith" and on the reasonable belief that they are the first to call for help.
Provide their real name to 911 or during the emergency call.
Remain at the scene until help arrives.
  • Exclusions to the 2025 changes: 
The protection does not apply if there is evidence of a more serious crime, such as distribution of narcotics, a felony weapon offense, an outstanding warrant, or a sexual assault. 
Code of Virginia § 54.1-3400
Virginia Drug Control Act
The Virginia Drug Control Act establishes a classification system for controlled substances and sets penalties for illegal activities involving these drugs. The severity of the charges and penalties depends on the drug's classification (Schedule I through VI), the nature of the offense (possession vs. distribution), and the quantity of the substance. 
Controlled Substance Schedules:
The Act categorizes controlled substances into six schedules based on their potential for abuse and medical use. 
  • Schedule I: High abuse potential, no accepted medical use (e.g., heroin, LSD).
  • Schedule II: High abuse potential with severe dependence risk, but accepted medical use (e.g., cocaine, fentanyl).
  • Schedule III: Less abuse potential than Schedule II, moderate dependence risk, accepted medical use (e.g., ketamine).
  • Schedule IV: Low abuse potential relative to Schedule III, limited dependence risk, accepted medical use (e.g., Xanax).
  • Schedule V: Low abuse potential relative to Schedule IV, limited dependence risk, accepted medical use (e.g., certain cough medicines with codeine).
  • Schedule VI: Substances used for recreational abuse not typically considered drugs (e.g., certain inhalants).