City of Alexandria Recognizes Second Annual National Fentanyl Awareness Day: Youth Fund-Raising Car Wash and Free Narcan with REVIVE! Trainings to Reverse Overdoses
For Immediate Release May 8, 2023
The City of Alexandria joins communities around the nation for the second annual National Fentanyl Awareness Day on May 9 to raise awareness about fentanyl-laced illicit drugs. Street drugs are often laced with fentanyl– an inexpensive and deadly substitute that is up to 100 times more potent than morphine.
Come out to a Shelter Care community car wash on May 9 at 200 S. Whiting St. from 3-5 p.m., where youth working to promote recovery we will not only clean cars, but also provide information on the dangers of fentanyl. The City also makes available free Narcan and fentanyl test strips. Narcan is a nasal spray that can save the life of someone having an opioid overdose, and fentanyl test strips detect the presence of the synthetic opioid in a drug before using. Free Narcan will be available at the car wash.
Free Narcan, along with a 10-minute REVIVE! training on how to recognize and respond to an overdose, will be available at 2355 Mill Road from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. on May 9. Anyone is welcome to stop in. For those interested in the complete one hour REVIVE! training, see the livestream at 10 a.m., noon or 3 p.m. City of Alexandria residents can also have free Narcan and/or fentanyl test strips mailed to them, by emailing opioids@alexandriava.gov.
Nationally, fentanyl-involved deaths are fastest growing among 14- to 23-year-olds. Just last week, the City issued a safety alert following two suspected fentanyl-related overdoses in school aged youth with one resulting in death.
The Opioid Work Group and the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria encourage residents to spread potentially lifesaving information about fentanyl and to act by:
- Sharing information about the dangers associated with illicit fentanyl hidden in street drugs.
- Exploring resources available for parents and other adults to talk with youth about drugs
- Spreading the word about National Fentanyl Awareness Day by visiting the website and using the hashtag #NationalFentanylAWarenss Day on social media.
- Disposing of unused or expired medication via one of several safe options for disposal.
- Accessing free locking medication boxes to secure medication.
The City’s Department of Community and Human Services can help locate treatment options for Alexandria residents dealing with substance use and is available 24 hours a day at 703.746.3636. To get help with stopping the use of opioids, call the intake line at 703.746.3610.
Always call 911 immediately if you suspect someone is overdosing. To provide information regarding past overdoses or drug activity, please call the Alexandria Police Department at 703.746.6277.
Visit alexandriava.gov/Opioids for more information about this year’s events and Alexandria’s efforts to fight the national opioid epidemic.
For inquiries from the news media only, please contact City Opioid Coordinator Emily Bentley at 703.746.3326 or emily.bentley@alexandriava.gov.
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