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August 5, 2026
There’s a nationwide epidemic of opioid addiction and overdoses. A reported 2.4% of Americans (or 6.9 million people) aged 12 or older have misused a prescription opioid like oxycodone within the past year, according to the latest federal figures. Another 0.3% have used the illicitly manufactured opioid fentanyl. And nationally nearly 50,000 people died from opioid-related overdoses during the past year.
The crisis spans communities across Virginia, including right here in Fairfax County. To help people and families affected, the county formed its Opioid and Substance Use Task Force. It brings together multiple agencies from health and human services to public safety to Fairfax County Public Schools.
While the challenge continues, we’ve gotten some good news recently. In the Fairfax Health District, we’ve seen a 22% reduction in opioid overdose deaths over the past year. It’s the lowest number of fatalities in our area in 10 years, according to the most recent data. (Track this data on the county’s interactive opioid overdose dashboard.) Fentanyl continues to be the primary opioid responsible for fatal and non-fatal overdoses in the Fairfax Health District and nationally.
We’re working to stem the damage caused by opioids with programs focused on prevention, education and treatment. For these efforts, the county is using money from legal settlements from local and state lawsuits against drug makers, distributors and retailers. (Fairfax County also brought its own suit against these companies for their role in the epidemic.)
So far, the county has received about $7 million in settlement funds, and in July, the Board of Supervisors approved using $2 million of this money for two new initiatives, including a prevention campaign for teens. (Virginia is expected to receive over $1.1 billion in settlement payments by the time they end in 2041.)
As an example of how the county is spending this money, the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board expanded its Youth Medication-Assisted Treatment program. Our Community Services Board was the first in the state to offer this treatment to youth that combines the use of medicines and therapy to prevent substance abuse and overdoses.
More recently, Fairfax contributed money to create the Northern Virginia Adolescent Treatment Center, a new 16-bed residential facility for teens with substance use challenges. Along with the state and a private behavioral healthcare company, Fairfax’s Community Services Board partnered with other CSBs in the region to create this first of its kind program in Virginia.
How You Can Help
Should you choose, you too can help with a few simple steps:
Regards,
Walter
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- Hunter Mill Office Closed Next Week
- Attend the Free Hunter Mill Melodies Concert Thursday
- Paul Thomas to Be Appointed as Planning Commissioner
- Virginia Sales Tax Holiday Starts Friday
- What's News in Vienna
- Events and Activities
| | My Office Will Be Closed Next Week Aug. 10-14 | | |
What’s happening: Due to construction work, my offices at the North County Governmental Center will be closed next week from Monday, Aug. 10 to Friday, Aug 14. Hunter Mill staff will be on leave during this week and will not be responding to calls or emails during that time.
However, we will reopen the office to serve you on Monday Aug. 17. Note that since there will still be ongoing construction work in the office lobby that week, so you’ll need to follow the signs in the main lobby and come through the community room if you’re visiting us in person.
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Hunter Mill Melodies: Speidel, Goodrich,
Goggin and Lille Play Tomorrow.
Enjoy Food from Leo’s Tacos
| | Paul Thomas To Be Appointed as New Hunter Mill Planning Commissioner | | Virginia Sales Tax Holiday Aug. 7-9: Buy Clothes, Shoes and Appliances Tax Free | | |
What’s happening: Virginia’s annual sales tax holiday returns this Friday through Sunday, and it’s your opportunity to buy qualifying clothes, shoes, EnergyStar and WaterSense appliances, school supplies and emergency preparedness supplies without paying sales tax:
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Clothes and shoes: Dresses, pants, shirts, shoes and even wedding apparel qualify if they cost $100 or less (excluded is sporting equipment like golf or baseball gloves and footwear designed primarily for athletic activity, such as cleats, ski boots and ballet shoes.) For more details on qualifying clothes, shoes and school supplies, check this list.
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EnergyStar and WaterSense Products: Appliances or products purchased for home use that cost $2,500 or less per item, including washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators, air conditioners, showerheads, toilets and lightbulbs.
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Emergency preparedness supplies: This includes portable generators ($1,000 or less per item), gas-powered chainsaws ($350 or less per item) and other supplies that cost $60 or less such as batteries, carbon monoxide detectors, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and more.
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Get ready for a new way to get around Vienna on two wheels. Capital Bikeshare is set to begin installing bikes during the first week of August throughout Vienna. Rentable bikes will soon be available at the :
- Vienna Community Center
- Navy Federal Credit Union
- Maple Avenue & Nutley Street intersection
- Ayr Hill Avenue trail crossing
- Patrick & Park streets intersection
You’ll be able to rent a bike and return it to any station in the Capital Bikeshare network across the region. The stations in town will offer 21 standard bikes and four electric bicycles. These Vienna docking stations will help close a gap in alternative transportation between the City of Fairfax, Tysons and Metrorail’s Orange and Silver Line stops.
| | Stay Informed and In Touch | |
Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn
703-478-0283, TTY 711
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