Both the City of Alexandria and Fairfax County have reported an increase in drug overdoses, in particular opioid overdoses, since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While fatal opioid overdoses have not changed, opioid related incidents have increased from 79 in the entire year of 2019, to 142 since the beginning of 2020, a spokesperson from the Fairfax County Police department confirmed.
While COVID-19 has changed the way Fairfax County has been able to offer services to combat the opioid epidemic, resources are still available. Fairfax County has been able to offer virtual REVIVE! Classes, which train individuals on how to handle an overdose situation and how to administer the drug Naloxone (commonly known as Narcan) that can save the life of someone overdosing on opioids. Following the training, residents receive kits in the mail that contain two CPR mouth barriers, vinyl gloves, stickers, an instruction card and/or no-cost Narcan. Classes are being offered on Aug 14 (in Spanish) and Aug 18 (in English).
The City of Alexandria issued a statement this week alerting the public to an increase in drug related overdoses and informing them of treatment options available. There have been nine drug overdoses since July 24, seven of which were due to opioids. The incidents were unrelated and involved varying circumstances. Some individuals involved were passing through the City and all of the drugs were purchased outside of Alexandria.
City officials voiced concern that the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic may be contributing to the increase in incidents.
Emily Bentley, the City of Alexandria Opioid Response Coordinator, said it is hard to determine exactly how COVID-19 has impacted the increase in drug related incidents. Many in-person services and the City’s REVIVE! classes were shut down due to the pandemic, leading to a loss of a support system for many struggling with opioid addiction. On the other hand, the general stress and sense of hopelessness triggered by the pandemic could have led some people to turn to drug abuse.
Despite this, Bentley stressed that the City continues to offer a lot of resources including medication treatment and therapy. They can also link people to residential treatments that are still operating.
“Treatment and hope still work. That is our main purpose in putting out statements to the community. There is hope for anyone who suffers from substance abuse,” Bentley explained.
Bentley said that recent changes in Virginia law have made it easier to distribute Narcan to those who need it by eliminating the training requirement. Narcan is available for free by appointment through Bentley, whose phone number is 703-746-3326. It is also available by appointment through the Alexandria Health Department by calling 703-746-3326.
Bentley is concerned that the lack of accessibility and anonymity due to COVID-19 may be inhibiting some opioid users from reaching out for help. Because of this, the City plans to distribute Narcan at farmers markets and other safe social distanced events in the near future.
Prevention is also a big part of what the Opioid Response Team does. Reducing the availability of drugs is an important part of this. She encourages people to safely dispose of unused prescription medication, like opioids, by taking it off at drop boxes located at The Neighborhood Pharmacy of Del Ray (2204 Mt. Vernon Ave.) or the Police Department (3600 Wheeler Ave.) which are available 24/7.
The City continues to monitor the opioid epidemic.. They work closely with Arlington County which has a similar size and demographic to Alexandria. Aug 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day. The City is unable to host their usual barbecue event at the police station. Instead they will light up City Hall in purple, which is the awareness color for opioid addiction, from Aug 30 – Sept 1 in order to acknowledge and bring awareness to the opioid crisis. In September, which is National Recovery month, the City will host a virtual event where people in recovery from addiction can speak and celebrate their recovery.
For more information on the Opioid and Substance Abuse Task Force and programs in Fairfax County, visit fairfaxcounty.gov/strategymanagementhhs/opioid-and-substance-abuse-task-force. For information on the Alexandria Opioid Work Group and resources visit alexandriava.gov/dchs/adultservices/default.aspx?id=102183.
The Chris Atwood Foundation is a local, private resource for combating substance abuse. Their website is chrisatwoodfoundation.org.
