Public Health Alert: Increase in Overdoses

The Northern Shenandoah Valley Substance Abuse Coalition recently issued a health alert urging the public to keep an eye out for signs of heroin use in those around them. The Northwest Virginia Regional Drug Task Force has been responding to a record number of overdoses. They believe most of the incidents involved the use of heroin. The Northern Shenandoah Valley Substance Abuse Coalition lists the following general signs of substance use:

• Change in friends • Declining grades • Decrease in motivation • Increased school disciplinary action • Loss of interest in activities including sports, music or hobbies. • Missed school or work • Selling/pawning, stealing or missing valuables/cash • Frequent use of mints/gum/candy/chips to mask breath • Hiding substances in cars, wallets, hat rims, shoes, etc. • 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 (Abusers may spend long periods of time 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 • Wearing long sleeve shirts during warm weather to cover “track marks.” • Napping or falling asleep at strange times

If you believe someone is suffering from a substance use disorder, you are encouraged to seek help. Read the public health alert in its entirety: Increase in Overdoses.