WASHINGTON — An internal investigation is underway into alleged drug smuggling, including fentanyl, inside D.C.’s Youth Services Center. The shocking revelations came during a DC Council oversight hearing of the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services.
“There are allegations of fentanyl in the facility have you heard that?” asked Councilmember Trayon White Chair of the Committee on Recreation, Libraries, and Youth Affairs.
“Yes,” responded DYRS Director Sam Abed. “It’s a high concern and we recently did uncover youth that had tested positive for fentanyl and that is one of the top priorities of our internal investigator.”
Director Abed said the cases will be referred to DC Police. According to his testimony, it appears some visitors and parents have brought drugs, including marijuana and fentanyl, into the facility as recently as last month.
“If we identify somebody that has attempted or been detected bringing in contraband, they're banned from coming into the facility," said Abed. As a result, everyone including staff and guards are subject to a pad down before entering, Abed added.
The Director took questions from Councilmember White and other committee members for more than three hours Thursday. They asked about staffing, safety, and shelter beds. Even though DYRS is working to satisfy a court order for more shelter beds for girls, there is still a long waiting list.
Unfortunately, as more young people are arrested, the demand for shelter beds has skyrocketed. There are still 40 young people awaiting placement.
A judge can order a young person to be detained at the YSC or get mental health and other rehabilitation services at shelters. DYRS came under fire a few months back when it was discovered some girls were being released early because the agency did not have enough shelter beds.
Director Abed testified that DYRS added a second girls' shelter with three more pending contracts for more. They have also built a new ten-bed unit at YSC, increased staff by fourteen, and safety protocols including moving youth around the facility in smaller groups and changing key card access. There is also a maximum time of 60 minutes that a youth can be confined in his or her cell during the day.
If you, or someone you know, has substance abuse issues there is help available. Call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration hotline at (800) 662-4357.
Naloxone, commonly known as NARCAN, is a medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and can be purchased over the counter or requested from many health departments at no cost. The National Institute on Drug Abuse says naloxone has no effect on someone who does not have opioids in their system. According to the CDC, it may be administered on people of all ages.
Where to find Naloxone in DC, Maryland and Virginia:
Maryland: Department of Health
Virginia: Department of Health
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