Fairfax County Police Department News

 Recognizing the Signs, Seeking Help

 Join Captain Paul Cleveland from the Fairfax County Police Department’s Office of Organized Crime & Narcotics and Peggy Cook, director of Residential Treatment Services for the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board on Monday, Nov. 24 at 3 p.m. to discuss the dangers and prevalence of heroin and opiate use and addiction facing our community. The number of overdoses has risen dramatically over the past three years; no one is immune. Learn more about this “national threat” we are facing here in Fairfax County, as well as how to recognize drug use, overdoses, the risks and where to find help and resources.

Questions may be submitted in advance, or join us LIVE, at: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/askfairfax/ActiveDiscussion.aspx?roomid=99

This online chat is part of a broad, cross-discipline campaign to address the growing prevalence of heroin and opioid addiction across the region. Recently, Peggy Cook was interviewed on this topic for a County Conversation podcast. Listen here:

• Listen: Nov. 12- Peggy Cook, Fairfax/Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) (22:17)(CSB Residential Treatment Services, Substance Use Treatment and Mental Health Treatment) ||

(10/14/14) Co-ordinated, Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Heroin

Authorities Discuss Strategic Plan

             The Fairfax County Police Department convened a meeting to discuss the increase in heroin overdoses and possible strategic initiatives to educate the community as to the serious dangers of the drug.

Representatives from the Office of Crime and Narcotics were joined by the Commonwealth’s Attorney, Raymond F. Morrogh, representatives from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the health and fire departments, Fairfax County Public Schools, Virginia State Police, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, numerous other local enforcement agencies, and the Community Services Board to discuss the heroin-related issues.

The meeting began with a presentation from a man who lost his 26-year-old son to a heroin overdose just six weeks ago. A U.VA graduate who grew up in the Mount Vernon area of Fairfax County, the young man was a successful film-maker, an accomplished individual with a close family and many friends. He was struggling, however, with heroin addiction and was seeking help. The man is now dedicating his time and energy to help others, like himself, who are faced with the daunting issue of addiction and where to turn.

Dubbed a “national threat,” by the DEA, today’s heroin is high in purity, lower in cost (than some other drugs), and more available than other drugs. When mixed with fentanyl, the mixture is highly lethal at low levels of ingestion. Fairfax County has experienced an increase in overdoses in the past year. In 2013, there were 41 overdoses and 9 deaths linked to heroin; in 2014, there have been 56 overdoses and 15 deaths so far.

“We need to take a hard look at education and rehabilitation when it comes to heroin and opiate addiction,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Morrogh. “I’m glad to be a part of this strategic effort that can produce real results to help ease the suffering of people, and their families, who’ve become addicted. We’re seeing this drug hit all demographics and backgrounds; no one is immune.”

The comprehensive strategic planning process will continue in the coming months in Fairfax County.