LEESBURG, Va. — Loudoun County Public Schools reported its 11th suspected overdose of the school year this week.
LCPS issued a statement Tuesday night informing families and staff of the incident.
“In accordance with guidance received from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) related to the Governor’s Executive Order 28, we are writing to make you aware that the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a non-fatal, suspected overdose.
Out of concern for the student’s privacy, we will not be releasing further information about the incident itself. We are working with the student and their family to provide appropriate support,” LCPS Chief Communications & Community Engagement Officer Natalie Allen said.
At the beginning of the month the county reported 10 overdoses across six high schools. Eight of the 10 overdoses occurred at/inside of Park View High School. The overwhelming number of overdoses prompted the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Department to launch an investigation at the high school.
“We know the overwhelming number of Park View students are responsible and care about the safety of their school, and we are putting all available resources into identifying who is responsible for distributing these lethal drugs,” Sheriff Mike Chapman said. “We have also encouraged LCPS to continue its communications with the Park View community and have offered our assistance with additional educational and security measures."
In the letter sent to families on Tuesday night following the most recent overdose, LCPS informed parents how they are navigating this current opioid epidemic plaguing not just the county, but the entire country.
“Opioid use is a local, state and national issue, and we are grappling with how best to navigate it as a school division. As a reminder, LCPS has Naloxone available at every school in the division” Allen said.
While the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Department was investigating Park View High School and schools were training faculty and staff members how to properly administer Naloxone, Governor Glenn Youngkin was issuing his 28th executive order of the year.
According to a press release issued by Governor Youngkin, LCPS waited more than 20 days to notify parents of the overdoses that occurred at Park View High School. Executive Order 28 was put in place so parents would be made aware of any overdose on or near school grounds within 24-hours of its occurrence.
The most recent overdose is now the second overdose reported since Governor Youngkin’s Executive Order went into effect.