Man Sold Heroin To Overdose Victim In Alexandria Hospital: Police

ALEXANDRIA, VA—A drug dealer accused of selling heroin in an Alexandria hospital to a person that just overdosed turned himself in Wednesday.

Last summer, medical staff used Narcan to save the patient's life after a heroin overdose, NBC Washington reported. A day later, he had overdosed again at the hospital.

Police say the drug dealer entered the hospital as a guest and brought heroin to the patient, police say.

The drug dealer, Michael "Flip" Filipowicz, 25, and his co-conspirator Dana Gotliffe, 20, will each face a charge of conspiracy to distribute heroin. Gotliffe had previously been arrested and charged.

Like many communities across the country, the opioid crisis has impacted Alexandria. The city has seen its own spike of six opioid overdoses within one week in October. Between 2012 and 2016, 44 people died due to opioid overdoses in Alexandria. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

On Wednesday, the city held a community forum on how different agencies and community groups are tackling the opioid crisis, from law enforcement to schools and the Substance Abuse and Prevention Coalition of Alexandria. The event was organized by the city's Opioid Work Group, a collaboration of city health providers, law enforcement and education representatives. The group focuses on opioid addiction prevention and treatment, overdose response and recovery, diversion of addicted persons into treatment, supply reduction and law enforcement strategies.

The city has options available to residents in need of help. Alexandria's treatment program is designed to stop heroin or other opioid use. Residents can find out more by calling 703-746-3600. The city's Substance Abuse Residential Treatment Hotline is also available 24/7 by calling 703-746-3400.

Residents can receive free Narcan, the life-saving medicine that can reverse an overdose, at the Alexandria Health Department (4480 King Street) or buy it without a prescription at pharmacies. If you believe someone has overdosed, immediately call 911.

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