Community Services

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What is Naloxone?

Naloxone is the only FDA approved medication to reverse opioid overdoses. Naloxone, otherwise known as by its brand name Narcan, can be administered in two common forms: nasal spray or injectable. Prince William County dispenses naloxone nasal spray to any resident of the Greater Prince William area through its partnerships with the Virginia Department of Health and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. The nasal spray has limited side effects and only acts to reverse an opioid overdose.

How do opioid overdoses happen?

An opioid overdose occurs when a person consumes/injects too much of an opioid. Common opioids are prescription medications such as oxycodone, codeine, morphine, as well as illicit drugs, such as heroin or fentanyl. Unfortunately, most illicit drugs purchased in Prince William County are being contaminated with fentanyl.

Watch this quick video from NIH to learn more about opioids, overdoses, and how naloxone saves lives.

How do I get naloxone?

 There are a few ways to access naloxone in our community. You can attend an Opioid Overdose Response and Naloxone Education training. In 60 minutes, you will learn more about opioids, laws that encourage and support an active response to an overdose, and how to reverse an opioid overdose using naloxone. After completing the training participants receive, at no-cost, naloxone nasal spray and an opioid overdose response kit. Upcoming trainings can be found here.              

For more information, please email [email protected] or call 571-866-6400. Residents can also call this number  or email  to schedule a time to visit a Community Services office to receive a brief training and receive naloxone at no-cost.

Fentanyl Exposed

Community Services is extremely concerned about the presence of fentanyl in our community and the dangers it poses to our residents. Community Services and our community partners will be launching our “Fentanyl Exposed” campaign in early Summer 2023 and is focused on educating youth about the dangers of fentanyl and the use of naloxone to save a life.

Fentanyl is an opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have resources for parents and concerned residents.  Fentanyl Awareness Day will be observed on May 9, 2023. More information can be found on their website and by visiting our events page.