[Archived] City of Alexandria Launches Narcan by Mail Delivery Program

For Immediate Release: October 2, 2020

The City of Alexandria has launched a mail delivery program to make it easier for residents to obtain Narcan, an easy-to-use nasal spray that can save the life of someone experiencing an opioid overdose. 

The program’s goal is to provide additional access to Narcan and reduce the number of deaths related to opioid overdoses. The region’s increase in deaths related to opioid overdoses raises City officials’ concerns that individual and collective stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic may be linked to increased substance use. 

Residents can obtain Narcan for free by emailing their name and mailing address to emily.bentley@alexandriava.gov or by appointment at the Alexandria Health Department by calling 703.746.4888. Narcan is also available without a prescription at all pharmacies. For more information on Narcan and how to obtain it, visit alexandriava.gov/Opioids.

City officials urge residents to be aware of the medical risks associated with the use of opioids and any illegal substances that could be extremely concentrated or laced with another drug without their knowledge, which could result in life-threatening situations. Recently, many individuals who were revived with Narcan after an overdose reported being unaware that they had used an opioid, most likely because the substance they used was laced with fatal additives like fentanyl, an opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine.

The City’s substance use treatment and recovery programs are open and ready to assist anyone who feels they or a loved one could benefit from support and assistance to begin or maintain their recovery from addiction.

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 samhsa.gov or by calling 800.662.HELP (4357). For life-threatening situations, call or text 911 immediately. 

For inquiries from the news media, contact Emily Bentley, Opioid Response Coordinator, at emily.bentley@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3326.