Opioid overdoses on the rise | how Northern Virginia families are part of the solution

FAIRFAX, Va. — Jinny Atwood’s brother Chris Atwood, was 15 when he started using heroin. He died from an accidental overdose in 2013.

“When my brother was addicted to opioids, he started losing weight. That was the biggest giveaway,” Atwood said. 

Atwood told WUSA9, her family slipped through the many gaps within the healthcare system, which is why the Chris Atwood Foundation was started in memory of her brother. It is a way to educate and assist families also going through what they've experienced.

“Parents and families don’t want to talk about it. Schools don’t want to talk about it. We don’t want to admit this is a problem in our nice affluent area but it is,” Atwood said. 

On Sunday, families from all around Northern Virginia, got the chance to talk about addiction, learn about resources available, and how to spot the signs.

According to the Fairfax County Health Department, hospital emergency visits for opioid overdoses increased 115% from 2022 to 2023 among teens under 18.

From 2016 to August 2024, 132 teens in the Fairfax Health District suffered opioid overdoses, while 16 died of overdoses between 2016 and March 2024. The vast majority involved fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances.

Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement believes one of the reasons teens turn to opioids is the lack of after school activities and opportunities.

"If we don’t get ahead of it, give students after school programs, places for them to earn money... if we don’t give them these opportunities, we’re really setting ourselves up for this to be an even bigger problem down the line.” Tony Striner a VOICE Volunteer, said.

Parents are encouraged to talk to their children, have conversations about drug use and seek help from local or state officials if you don’t know where to turn.

“It’s not easy to come to these events sometimes but I know being able to use my brother's story to help other people is healing for me,” Atwood said.

It teaches people how and when to administer naloxone. Naloxone is used to reverse an overdose and save someone’s life.