For Immediate Release: May 3, 2023
The City of Alexandria asks the community to be vigilant about the dangers of illicit drugs following two recent suspected drug overdoses involving school-aged youth.
Illicit drugs are often laced with fentanyl, an inexpensive substitute that is up to 100 times more potent than morphine and can be deadly. City officials are asking for the public’s help in understanding the prevalence of fentanyl overdoses; how they can be prevented, recognized and treated; as well as speaking with people, especially youth, regarding the dangers of all illicit drugs.
Resources available to help combat the national opioid epidemic include Narcan, a safe, easy-to-administer nasal spray that everyone can have on hand. Narcan can be obtained at no charge by emailing opioids@alexandriava.gov or at the Alexandria Health Department (4850 Mark Center Dr.). Narcan is also available at most pharmacies throughout Alexandria; costs will vary based on insurance.
The City also encourages residents to dispose of expired or unneeded medications to help prevent overdoses. Several medication disposal boxes are located throughout the City.
If you or someone you care about needs help, please call 703.746.3400 to speak with staff at the Department of Community and Human Services. Treatment for opioid use can be accessed by calling the City’s Opioid Treatment Program intake line at 703.746.3610. Additional treatment options can be found at samhsa.gov or by calling 800.662.HELP (4357).
For life-threatening situations, call 9-1-1 immediately. If you have information regarding the illegal sale of opioids or other drugs, please call the Alexandria Police Department at 703.746.6277.
Visit alexandriava.gov/Opioids for more information on the opioid crisis and how the City is responding, including a flyer on overdose symptoms and how to get help.
For inquiries from the news media only, email newsroom@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.3969.
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This news release is available at alexandriava.gov/go/4585