Virginia State Police (VSP) report by email that the Northwest Virginia Regional Drug and Gang Task Force (NVRDGTF) are warning of a recent spike in fatal and non-fatal overdoses.
Law enforcement has recorded three fatal overdoses and three non-fatal overdoses since February.
One death occurred in the City of Winchester and two fatalities occurred in Frederick County.
The recent increase in opioid-related overdoses is attributed to fentanyl which is fifty to one hundred times more potent than morphine.
Law enforcement reiterates the fact that two milligrams of fentanyl is potentially deadly to the average person.
Many narcotics have been found to be laced with synthetic opioids like cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine.
These and other synthetics often can cause respiratory failure and death.
Narcan can work in some cases to revive a victim but not in all cases.
The Northern Shenandoah Valley Substance Use Coalition is launching a series of pop-up events for free Narcan distribution across the region.
Residents are encouraged to connect here and on Facebook to find out dates, times, and locations of these pop-up opportunities to save a life.
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