RICHMOND — Gov. Ralph Northam announced Tuesday that the National Governor’s Association (NGA) selected Virginia to participate in a learning lab on state strategies for addressing infectious diseases related to substance use. According to a press release, this learning lab is an opportunity for state officials to receive technical assistance in developing and implementing a strategic action plan for reducing the incidence of infectious diseases related to substance use disorder, including opioid use disorder.

The release cited that Virginia will be one of seven states traveling to Kentucky to learn about how that state is addressing the increased risk of infectious diseases through public health surveillance and community prevention efforts.

“Following the kick-off meeting in Kentucky, states will receive six months of technical assistance from NGA,” officials said in the release.