Northern Shenandoah Valley has 11 overdoses in nine days, four fatalities

Needle seen discarded on a local street. (File photo.)

WINCHESTER – Since Sept. 20th, there have been 11 overdoses—four of them fatal—in the Northern Shenandoah Valley, according to a Friday press release from the Northern Shenandoah Valley Substance Abuse Coalition (NSVSAC).

The Northwest Virginia Regional Drug Task Force said that means it is likely that the heroin is laced with fentanyl. The four lives lost in this latest spate of overdoses brings the total number of overdose deaths this year to 33. Lab tests, which could take four to six months to process, will pinpoint just what type of narcotics factored in the overdoses.

In addition to the 33 fatal overdoses this year there have been 145 reported first-responder Naloxone administrations. Lab results have shown fentanyl’s presence in some of those cases.

The Northern Shenandoah Valley Substance Abuse Coalition is calling on the public to help curb the use of heroin. NSVSAC Executive Director Lauren Cummings said in a press release Friday that anyone with a friend or loved one who is who is actively using IV drugs is encouraged to reach out for help. Naloxone, which is now available over the counter at some local pharmacies, can be purchased to have on hand. Naloxone is used to reverse the effects of narcotic drugs.

General signs of substance use; if seen in loved ones, seek help:

• Change in friends
• Declining grades
• Decrease in motivation, “no drive”
• Increased school disciplinary action
• Loss of interest in activities (sports, music, hobbies)
• Missed school or work
• Selling/pawning, stealing, or missing valuables/cash
• Frequent use of mints/gum/candy/chips to mask breath
• Hiding substances (i.e. cars, wallets, hat rims, shoes)
• Hiding controlled substances in non-controlled prescription bottles that look similar
• Avoidance of loved ones/secrecy/irrational excuses for absences
• Overly sensitive or defensive/detached
• Anxiety/depression/frequent mood swings
• Irritability
• Isolation (long periods in bathroom/shower, car or bedroom)
• Changing sleep hours
• Decline in physical self-care
• Sudden onset or increased cigarette usage
• Increase in speeding or other tickets or minor accidents

Specific to IV Drug Use (Heroin/Cocaine/Other):

• Wearing long sleeve shirts during warm weather (to cover “track marks”)
• Napping or falling asleep at strange times (heroin or opioids)
• Long periods in the bathroom/shower

The NSVSAC recently hired two peer recovery specialists who are available to the public with money from a United Way Impact Grant. Because of their lived experience, peer recovery specialists have expertise that professional training cannot replicate. With a powerful message of hope combined with the experience of success in their own recovery, peer recovery specialists serve as life coaches, extending the clinical reach of treatment and going directly into the lives of people who need them most.

Executive Director Lauren Cummings said, “The disease of addiction is impacting lives and

families across our community. We strongly urge anyone who is struggling with addiction to reach out for help and we want individuals in our community to feel safe in seeking treatment.

“We are fortunate to have a robust community of individuals in recovery who are willing to help others find freedom from addiction. We are encouraging utilization of these invaluable resources.”

The NSVSAC partners with the Concern Hotline to encourage individuals to call for help. The number for Concern Hotline is 540-667-0145. For a comprehensive listing of addiction resources in the Northern Shenandoah Valley visit www.roadtorecovery.info.