FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. — Fighting fentanyl is a challenge, but one that the Fairfax County Police Department says it takes seriously.
In 2018, the department launched the Overdose Investigations Unit.
"When the unit was formed it was really one of the only in the nation," said Lt. Kevin White who leads the unit.
He told WUSA9 the unit consisted of two detectives and a crime analyst when they first launched, but it's now grown to six detectives and one crime analyst.
"We are still the only dedicated unit investigating overdoses in the region," said Lt. White.
He told WUSA9 they're focused on the tracking down the people distributing these deadly drugs.
"Our primary mission is to investigate the individuals that are distributing narcotics specifically fentanyl, that result in a fatal overdose," said Lt. White.
"We are trying to destigmatize the addiction aspect of it and so we as law enforcement are not looking to prosecute or investigate the person who overdosed," he said.
Since January 1, 2024, Fairfax County Police say they've been notified of two fatal overdoses and seven non-fatal overdoses in the county. They say there could be even more, but those are the ones they've been told about.
Fairfax County does track overdoses, but the most recent data only reflects the numbers as of December 31, 2023.
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, fentanyl is a deadly synthetic opioid that is being pressed into fake pills or cut into heroin, cocaine, and other street drugs to drive addiction.
The DEA says fentanyl is 50 times more potent than heroin, and is often pressed into fake pills. Those fake pills often resemble drugs like OxyContin, Xanax, Adderall and other pharmaceuticals.
"The illicit drug supply can not be trusted," said Ellen Volo, with the Fairfax County Opioid and Substance Abuse Task Force.
"If you see a pill that your friend gave you you have to assume that it has fentanyl in it," said Volo.
The DEA says lab testing reveals that seven out of every ten fake pills with fentanyl contain a potentially lethal dose.
What's even more concerning, is that a "lethal dose" is an extremely small amount. According to the DEA, it only takes a very small dose of fentanyl, about 2 milligrams, to be lethal.
"It's really dangerous. The only medications that are safe to take are the ones that are prescribed by doctors that you get from the pharmacy," said Volo.
Volo told WUSA9 the county offers a number of resources to help community members, that you can find here.
Fairfax County Public Schools has a Substance Abuse Prevention program.
Officials also recommend getting trained on how to use Naloxone, often referred to by the brand name Narcan.
For more info about getting training in Fairfax County, click here.
For more info about training in Arlington County, click here.