Police: 6 fatal overdoses in county in past week, including one in Telegraph Road area

Fire truck

Fairfax County Police said Friday that there have been six overdose deaths in the county in the past week, including one in the Telegraph Road area.

Five of the deaths are believed to be caused by opioids, and [police think the uptick in overdoses may be the result of a deadlier strain of heroin that has been mixed with fentanyl and carfentanil, two extremely potent synthetic opioids. However, until lab tests are completed police won’t know for sure.

A FCPD narcotics detective said the recent surge in overdoses is unprecedented during his time on the force.

“In my 20 years in Narcotics, I have never seen anything like this. Before this week, the highest number of opioid overdoses we had in a weekend was five, and fortunately, everyone lived,” Second Lt. James Cox of the Organized Crime and Narcotics Division said in a press release. “We don’t want to see anyone else die. Please have a plan in place. You may remain anonymous. Help is also available through the Community Services Board for anyone, including families suffering from addiction. Narcan is available and the Chris Atwood Foundation will give it out this evening between 6 and 8 p.m. at 11890 Sunrise Valley Drive in Reston.”

The first overdose death happened Dec. 1 on Larochelle Court, which is near the intersection of Telegraph Road and Van Dorn Street. The deceased was a 34-year-old man, according to police.

The other victims, who range in age from 22-34, were from all corners of the county — Clifton, McLean, Fairfax and Fairfax Station. 

Police say that in 2017 alone there have been 102 fatal overdoes in the county. At least 70 percent of those are from opioid use, and that number could go up as lab tests for recent deaths are completed. 

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue personnel carry Narcan, a medicine that reverse an overdose, and police say anyone who suspects they or someone they know has overdosed should immediate call 911.