Drug Abuse Awareness Focus Of Arlington Town Hall Meeting

ARLINGTON, VA — Arlington residents are invited to join a town hall event with community leaders, healthcare providers and law enforcement to discuss the growing problem of drug and opioid abuse across the country.

The discussion will include a key note address by Carolyn Weems and NBC4 Washington anchor Jim Handly will moderate the event.

According to Arlington police, there have been 98 incidents involving opioids in the county in 2017 as of Sept. 8 and 11 fatal overdoses. In 2016, police investigated 121 incidents involving opioids and there were 12 fatal overdoses.

In 2014, for the first time in Virginia, more people died from opioid overdoses than fatal car accidents. Last November, State Health Commissioner Marissa Levine declared the opioid addiction crisis a public health emergency, issuing an order that would enable anyone to buy the anti-overdose drug naloxone over the counter.

Virginia averages three overdose deaths every day, and the numbers are going up. Gov. Terry McAuliffe -- who is not eligible to run for re-election due to term limits -- signed four bills into law earlier this year that are meant to stem the epidemic, which included providing initiatives to increase access to naloxone, changing opioid prescription policies, and creating syringe-services programs.

Residents can attend the Drug Awareness Town Hall Thursday, Oct. 12 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Central Library at 1015 N. Quincy St.

The event will be broadcasted live on the Arlington County Government Facebook page for those who cannot attend the hearing.

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