Increase Reported in Drug Overdoses

Published Date: Jul 17, 2019‍

Seven drug overdoses have been reported by the Northwest Virginia Regional Drug and Gang Task Force in the past week and two of the individuals who suffered an overdose, lost their lives. The Northern Shenandoah Valley Substance Abuse Coalition (NSVSAC) wants to bring awareness to these latest overdoses in hopes of preventing anyone else from dying.

The most recent overdose death happened on Wednesday, July 17th in Frederick County. On Sunday, July 14th, an individual died in Clarke County. The five non-fatal overdoses happened in Winchester (2), Frederick County (2), and Shenandoah County (1). The latest overdoses bring the total number of deaths in 2019 to 20 and the total number of non-fatal overdoses to 75.

The NSVSAC is asking the public to share the latest overdose alert with others in an effort to bring awareness. It is encouraged that family members and friends of individuals who use opioids or heroin obtain NARCAN, a medication that reverses the effects of an opioid overdose and saves lives. The next REVIVE! training will be held on August 5, 2019 from 10 a.m. – Noon at Shenandoah University, Brandt Student Center, Room Number 118. To register go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NH2K73G. Attendees of the REVIVE! training will receive NARCAN for free. NARCAN can also be picked up at any of the Lord Fairfax Health District Health Departments. Please call to schedule a short training and to receive the medication. For a complete list of the offices go to www.roadtorecovery.info.

Spikes in overdoses haven’t been detected locally during the summer months. This latest increase further emphasizes the need for individuals who are living with addiction to seek treatment. Individuals who are living in recovery are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to speak with over the phone, by calling Northwestern Community Services’ Peer2Peer Regional Warm Line at 1-833-626-1490. Northwestern Community Services also has a Peer Recovery Center located at 1014 Amherst Street, Winchester. The Peer Center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

For additional information and resources visit www.roadtorecovery.info and click on the treatment or resources tabs at the top of the page.