Responding to the Opioid Crisis

From Del Ray to Old Town to the West End, the consequences of opioid misuse and addiction are being felt by people throughout our community. City staff are working together to respond locally to this crisis through the Opioid Work Group (OWG). Learn more about the crisis, what Alexandria is doing and how you can help.

Page updated on Nov 18, 2019 at 10:36 AM

Opioid Crisis: Learn How You Can Help

Opioid Crisis Word CloudIncidences of opioid addiction, overdoses and deaths are rising to epidemic proportions across the U.S., affecting all ages, ethnicities, income levels and communities.  According to the CDC, overdoses involving opioids killed more than 47,000 people in 2017, and 36% of those deaths involved prescription opioids.

From Del Ray to Old Town to the West End, the consequences of opioid misuse and addiction are being felt by people throughout our community. Those impacted range from persons with addiction and their children and families to their neighborhoods and schools, as well as to their employers and the many City and other professionals performing their work in Alexandria.

City staff are working together to respond locally to this crisis through the  Opioid Work Group. Through the links on this page, you can learn more about the crisis, the Opioid Work Group and what you can do to help. Also visit knowrx.org, a regional information site created by Behavioral Health Wellness staff from CSBs across Northern Virginia. For information about the Governor's Task Force on Prescription Drug and Heroin Abuse in Virginia, visit curbthecrisis.com.

Read the latest news about the local impact of opioids and the City's response at Opioid Related News Releases and Articles.

Special Announcement

On November 18, the City of Alexandria will host "A Community Conversation: Strategic Plan to Eliminate Opioid Misuse and Its Harmful Effects in Alexandria.” Residents are invited to learn more about the local effects of the national opioid crisis and the City’s strategy to address it. The event will be held from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. in the cafeteria of T.C. Williams High School at 3330 King Street. 

The event will include a brief presentation followed by round-table style opportunities for community members to respond to and provide input on the City’s strategic plan. The plan is also available online, where residents can learn more about the crisis and provide feedback on the plan.

If you need immediate help, dial 911.

If you need treatment services, please call the Opioid Treatment Program's intake line at 703.746.3610.

If you know someone who is dealing drugs or selling opioid prescriptions illegally, call the Alexandria Police Department at 703.746.6277; you have the option to provide the information anonymously.

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Pick Up Free Locking Medication Boxes, Firearm Trigger Locks

DCHS now offers two locations where Alexandria residents and employees can obtain free locking medication boxes and firearm trigger or cable locks as part of Lock and Talk Northern Virginia. 

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Alexandria Mayor Issues Proclamation

Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson issued a proclamation recognizing International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31, 2019, to call additional attention to drug overdoses -- especially involving opioids -- and reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths.

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Narcan and REVIVE! Trainings

Narcan saves lives. REVIVE! trainings, offered twice a month in Alexandria, can teach you how to spot and reverse an opioid overdose using Narcan. Learn more about Narcan and where you can get it. 

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Dispose of unwanted medications safely at these locations

Do you have unwanted or expired medications? Dispose of them at a secured permanent drop box location in the Inova Alexandria Hospital Visitor’s Lobby or inside the Neighborhood Pharmacy in Del Ray. 

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Opioid Related News Releases & Articles

Read news releases and articles about the impact of opioids in Alexandria and the City's response.

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The Opioid Crisis—and How Alexandria is Responding

Read this article about the national opioid crisis and how Alexandria is responding in Connect, the Department of Community and Human Services employee newsletter.




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