Keep Your Child Safe from Substance Abuse

By Department of Special Services
For Parents
March 30, 2022

With spring break quickly approaching, FCPS and Fairfax County would like everyone to remember that the Fairfax community continues to be profoundly impacted by the opioid epidemic. Consistent with national and state trends, local data on fatal and nonfatal opioid overdoses in the Fairfax Health District has been trending higher in 2021. People of all ages, in all parts of the Fairfax community, continue to be impacted by the opioid epidemic. In addition to opioids, data shows the most used substances amongst youth include nicotine, marijuana, alcohol, and prescription pills outside of a doctor’s recommendation.

To keep our children safe, suggested tips for parents include:

Safely dispose of unused, leftover prescription medicines.
Lock up prescriptions and other commonly used substances such as alcohol.
Talk with your child about drug and family rules/expectations around substance abuse.
Ensure your child is involved in extracurricular activities such as sports, activities, and hobbies.
Seek help for trauma, family addiction and other mental health concerns.
Ensure adequate child supervision.
Remain a positive role model.

In addition, stay tuned for dates of upcoming virtual, live panel discussions on youth substance use trends in Fairfax County. Viewers will learn how to detect substance use among their children and peers, along with prevention and treatment resources available.

Learn more about FCPS’ Substance Abuse Prevention (SAP) program which can provide prevention and early intervention services and connections to treatment, and the Healthy Minds Fairfax initiative to seek support and resources on substance use and mental health.

For more information on Fairfax County behavioral health resources and the opioid epidemic in Fairfax, visit the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board and the Fairfax County Opioid and Substance Use Task Force.

Superintendent Message Regarding Opioid Awareness

October 06, 2022

Opioids are a class of drugs used to treat pain, but their misuse can lead to devastating outcomes. Here are tips to keep our children safe, as well as information about FCPS prevention programs and county resources.

FCPS This Week - March 30, 2022

March 31, 2022

In this week's issue, get information on the 2022 Regional Science Fair winners, FCPS' winter 2022 sports champions, free classes at NOVA for graduating seniors, the deadline for completing the Family Engagement Survey, and a Cappies review of Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play.

Opioids: Learn How To Get Help and Prevent Overdoses

May 19, 2022

Healthy Minds Feature - Opioid overdoses are increasing nationally among youth and young adults. Know how to prevent overdose.

Read All News

Presentation: Fairfax County Youth Substance Use Trends

An educational webinar on youth substance use trends and supports. This page includes a text-only outline of the presentation slides and PDFs of the presentation slides in the following languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese).

Opioid Awareness - Fentanyl and Other Drugs

Information about opioid prevention and misuse including but not limited to: fentanyl, vicodin, oxycodone, oxymorphone, codeine, and other prescription pain medications.

Opioid Townhall Presentation: April 2023

Presentation on youth opioid use and Fairfax County's response plan.

Community Conversations on Fentanyl and Other Drugs

Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) invites you to a series of community conversations focused on addressing the opioid crisis within Northern Virginia and Fairfax County Public Schools.

Learn about support services currently available within FCPS and Fairfax County.

Substance Abuse Prevention Program

FCPS offers activities and learning experiences which focus on the many ways cannabis, alcohol, nicotine/vaping, and other drug use can impact student lives.

Fairfax County, Fairfax County Government, and United States Flags

Fairfax County Youth Substance Use Trends and Opioid Response

Fairfax County Public Schools has partnered with Fairfax County Government to provide an educational webinar on youth substance use trends and supports.