8 Fentanyl Overdoses Reported Among High School Students In Sterling

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — Eight Park View High School students have overdosed due to fentanyl this year, the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office said. Seven of the overdoses have occurred in the last three weeks.

Authorities said they would not release the names of any of the students or provide specific details about the investigation. The sheriff's office did not say how many, if any, of the overdoses were fatal.

Four of the overdoses occurred on Park View's campus, according to the sheriff's office. Three of the students needed naloxone to reverse the effects of the overdoses. School staff members performed CPR on two of the students.

“We know the overwhelming number of Park View students are responsible and care about the safety of their school, and we are putting all available resources into identifying who is responsible for distributing these lethal drugs,” Sheriff Mike Chapman said in a news release. “We have also encouraged LCPS to continue its communications with the Park View community and have offered our assistance with additional educational and security measures."

Investigators believe the overdoses involved counterfeit 3o mg Oxycodone pills. The counterfeit pills often contain a lethal dose of fentanyl, authorities said. Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid that is cheap to produce. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration estimates that 70 percent of pills seized by law enforcement contain a lethal dose of fentanyl.

Aaron Spence is the superintendent for Loudoun County Public Schools.

"I am concerned and saddened by this crisis impacting the Park View community,” Spence said. "LCPS is taking active steps to support our students, families and staff with fentanyl awareness and education, including training and supplying staff in each of our high schools with Naloxone for emergencies. This week, Park View families received a message with information and resources, and school leadership is holding grade-level assemblies and parent meetings."

Spence said the school system is also sending additional resources to Park View High School. The campus will have additional administrators, counselors, and security staff.

"I think it is important to note that the issue of addiction is truly at play here. When students come to school, we want them to learn and thrive. But, most of all we want them to live," Spence said. "We must, as a community, come together to find ways to help our young people who are facing these issues."

Loudoun County residents can receive free Naloxone training through the REVIVE! program. Information about upcoming classes is available online.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration offers a national helpline for people struggling with addiction at 800-662-4357. Additional resources are available online.