[Archived] Alexandria Police Issue Naloxone (Narcan) to Officers

For Immediate Release: May 2, 2019

As part of the Alexandria Police Department’s commitment to address the opioid crisis in our community, sworn staff have completed training on the use of Naloxone (Narcan) and each patrol officer will carry it on duty in Alexandria.

Alexandria Police Officers attended two-hour training which covered understanding opioids, how opioid overdoses happen, the risk factors for opioid overdoses, and how to respond to an opioid overdose emergency with the administration of Naloxone. Officers were trained by fellow Department employees who are certified Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) instructors. Officers will be recertified in training every two years. Approximately 275 officers have completed training, and all sworn officers will complete training by the end June 2019.

Since 2013, fatal drug overdose has been the leading method of unnatural death in Virginia, surpassing all other forms of unnatural death including homicide, suicide, motor vehicles accidents, and undetermined deaths. Opioids have been the driving force behind the large increases in fatal overdoses since 2013.

If you or someone you care about needs help with addiction, call 703.746.3636 (Virginia Relay 711), 24 hours a day. For help to stop using heroin or other opioids, call the Opioid Treatment Program intake line at 703.746.3610. Individuals who do not live in Alexandria can find treatment options at www.samhsa.gov or by calling 800.662.HELP (4357).

For life-threatening situations, call 911 immediately.