The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now:
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
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Substance Abuse Prevention
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Warns of Brightly Colored Fentanyl Used to Target Children and Young Adults
In recent years, our nation has experienced one of the most fatal drug epidemics in history. Opioids, specifically fentanyl, have impacted the lives of children and young adults and continues to be the primary driver in drug overdoses.
Pharmaceutical fentanyl is used for patients that require high levels of pain relief. Due to its powerful opioid properties, fentanyl has also been illicitly manufactured and is often the main ingredient used in counterfeit pills disguised as Percocet, Xanax, and Oxycontin. Although it can be found in illicitly manufactured pills, fentanyl can also present as a powder or liquid. Recently, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) issued a warning to the public about an emerging trend of brightly colored fentanyl referred to as “rainbow fentanyl.” These drugs are brightly colored like chalk and candy, potentially making them more attractive to children and young adults.
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Rainbow Fentanyl |
Counterfeit Pills |
Lethal Dose of Fentanyl |
Image Source: DEA
Parents play a critical role in preventing and reducing drug use among children. Preventative steps include:
- Encouraging open conversations about the dangers of using substances;
- Urging children not to share medications;
- Conveying your expectations;
- Encouraging and supporting healthy activities;
- Keeping medications stored in a safe and secure place; and
- Safely disposing of any expired or unused medications.
The safety of our children is of utmost importance. Together, we can raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl and other drugs
Talk to your child about the dangers of substance abuse
Talk to Your Child About the Dangers of Substance Abuse
Substance abuse can lead to serious problems such as poor schoolwork, loss of friends, problems at home, and lasting legal problems. Below are resources to help families start the conversation about the dangers of substance abuse.
- One Pill Can Kill—United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)
- Counterfeit Pill Fact Sheet (PDF)—Department of Justice - Drug Enforcement Administration
- The Facts About Fentanyl—Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- NIDA for Teens—National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH)
- Why You Should Talk With Your Child About Alcohol and Other Drugs—Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- How to Talk to Your Teen About Substance Use—Child Mind Institute
- Parent Talk Kit - Tips for Talking and What to Say to Prevent Drug and Alcohol Abuse (PDF)—DrugFree.org
- Partnership to End Addiction:
- Start A Conversation: 10 Questions Teens Ask About Drugs and Health—National Institute on Drug Abuse
- Recognizing and Responding to an Opioid Overdose—Curb the Crisis
- Growing up Drug-Free: A Parent's Guide to Drug Prevention (PDF)—DEA
- Tips for Teens - The Truth About Opioids (PDF)—SAMHSA
Do you think your child is abusing drugs or alcohol?
Do you think your child is abusing drugs or alcohol?
Know the signs...
- Breaking rules
- Heightened secrecy
- Fishy-sounding excuses or outright lying
- Difficulty thinking or keeping focus
- Withdrawing from classroom participation
- Resistance to discipline or feedback
- Increased tardiness or absence
- Paranoia, irritability, anxiety, fidgeting
- Changes in mood or attitude
- Significant weight loss or gain
- Loss of interest in hobbies or activities
- Decline in school performance
- Abandonment of long-time peer group
~ Adapted from Betty Ford Hazelden Foundation ~
Youth and Tobacco Use
Youth and Tobacco Use
Smoking and smokeless tobacco are almost always initiated and established during adolescence and most are addicted by the age of 20. Twenty percent of high school students report having smoked a cigarette in the last month. Tobacco use during adolescence is associated with health risk behaviors such as the use of alcohol, the use of other drugs, and high-risk sexual behaviors.
What are E-Cigarettes?
- E-cigarettes are electronic devices that heat a liquid and produce an aerosol, or mix of small particles in the air.
- E-cigarettes come in many shapes and sizes.
- Most have a battery, a heating element, and a place to hold a liquid.
- Some e-cigarettes look like regular cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. Some look like USB flash drives, pens, and other everyday items. Larger devices such as tank systems, or "mods," do not look like other tobacco products.
- E-cigarettes are known by many different names. They are sometimes called "e-cigs," "e-hookahs," "mods," "vape pens," "vapes," "tank systems," and "electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS)."
- Using an e-cigarette is sometimes called "vaping."
~ Retrieved from Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ~
Vaping Devices (Electronic Cigarettes) DrugFacts
Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment Facilities
Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment Facilities
The following directory is provided by the Prince William County Community Services Board and was last updated April 29, 2022.
| Treatment Facility (Website Link) |
Location | Contact | Ages | Types of Treatment | Insurance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Addiction Help | Manassas, VA Rockville, MD |
703-485-2000 | Adolescents | Buprenorphine | No insurance: $200 for initial, $180 for each follow up |
| Catalyst Recovery and Wellness Center | Manassas, VA | 703-546-1834 | 14+ | Outpatient SA (14+) MAT services (16+) |
Unknown |
| Center for Behavioral Health | Woodbridge, VA South Riding, VA |
703-492-8939 | 15+ | Individual Therapy MAT for 18+ |
Unknown |
| Discovery Mood & Anxiety Program | Fairfax, VA | 1-844-825-0468 | Adolescents | RTC, PHP, IOP | Unknown |
| Dominion Hospital (Intersect Program) |
Falls Church, VA | 703-538-2872 | Adolescents | Inpatient and PHP | Medicare and Medicaid for Partial, Yes for Inpatient |
| Embark | Tysons Corner, VA | 1-866-370-3176 | Adolescents | PHP, Outpatient Therapy | Unknown |
| Encore | Fairfax, VA | 703-596-3063 | Adults | IOP | Does not accept Medicaid |
| Hallmark Youth Care | Richmond, VA | 804-784-2200 | Adolescents | RTC | Unknown |
| Health Connect America | Alexandria, VA Sterling, VA |
703-680-9527 | Adolescents | SUD IOP | Accepts some Medicaid plans |
| INOVA Kellar Center | Fairfax, VA Sterling, VA |
703-218-8500 | Adolescents | PHP, IOP, co-occuring programs |
All Medicaid except Kaiser |
| Living Free Health Services | Annandale, VA | 703-750-1292 | Adolescents | IOP, Outpatient Program | Unknown |
| Manassas Addiction Center | Manassas, VA | 703-239-3602 | Adolescents | Medication assisted detox, outpatient therapy, family medicine (can act as PCP) |
Almost all insurance, including Medicaid |
| Newport Academy | Rockville, MD | 1-855-474-7068 | Adolescents | PHP, IOP, Outpatient Services |
Does not accept Medicaid |
| North Spring Behavioral Healthcare Outpatient Treatment Program |
Leesburg, VA | 703-554-6300 | Adolescents-17 | PHP, IOP | Medicaid |
| SAMHSA's National Helpline | 1-800-662-4357 | Adolescents | The referral service is free of charge. Can often refer you to facilities that charge on a sliding fee scale or accept Medicare or Medicaid. |
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| Sandstone TX | Reston, VA Rockville, MD |
703-260-9359 | Adolescents | IOP, PHP, MAT | No Medicaid. Accepts private insurance and TRICARE. |
| Youth For Tomorrow | Ashburn, VA Warrenton, VA |
703-368-7995 | 13-18 | IOP | Optima Health Family Care, VA Medicaid/Magellan Health Care, Kaiser, Aetna, Anthem Keepers Plus, Humana, VA Premier, INTotal Health |
New Horizons School Staff List—PWC Community Services
New Horizons School Staff List-PWC Community Services
The New Horizons Program provides an array of services to youth and their families with mental health, substance use, and co-occurring issues. Services may include individual, family, and group therapy, intensive in-home services, case management services and Behavioral Health and Wellness Services. Staff provide these services across multiple settings to include Community Services offices, schools, criminal justice agencies, youths home, and in the community. Below is a directory of New Horizon staff serving PWC high schools.
| High School | Staff Name | Availability | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battlefield | Ormsbee, Rachel | Mon-Thur | 703-743-3641 |
| Brentsville District | Ramirez, Michelle | Mon-Thur | 703-792-4942 |
| Colgan | Giannamore, Melissa | Mon-Thur | 571-374-6184 |
| Forest Park | Popovich, Jenna | Mon-Thur | 571-589-3668 |
| Freedom | Mitchell, Martina | Mon-Thur | 571-589-3378 |
| Gainesville | Hanner, Lindsay | Mon-Thur | 571-248-3233 |
| Gar-Field | Padrón, Gabriella | Mon-Thur | 571-298-0609 |
| Hylton | Smith, Sarah | Mon-Thur | 703-586-9895 |
| Independence Nontraditional | Ramirez, Michelle | Mon-Thur | 703-792-4942 |
| Osbourn Park | Connor, Monique | Mon-Thur | 571-598-3662 |
| Patriot | Delaney, Thomas | Mon-Thur | 703-594-3020 |
| Potomac | Martinez, Jeny | Mon-Thur |
703-441-4257 |
| Unity Reed | TBA | Mon-Thur | TBA |
| Woodbridge | DiGiacomo, Tina | Mon-Thur | 571-492-3934 |
REVIVE—Opioid Overdose Recognition and Response Training
REVIVE-Opioid Overdose Recognition and Response Training
In this 90-minute REVIVE! training participants will learn about opioids and how to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose with the use of Naloxone. Participants will receive Narcan nasal spray after attending the training. For more information, contact 703-792-7739 or HMartinsen@pwcgov.org.
To register for a specific session, visit the links below:
October 17, 2022
October 25, 2022
November 12, 2022
November 21, 2022
December 3, 2022
December 12, 2022
You can also find a list of training options and register
by visiting Prince William Community Services.
Support for Children of Addiction
Support for Children of Addiction
Those hurt most by alcohol and drug abuse are the children of alcoholics and other drug dependent parents. One in four children in the United States is exposed to alcohol or drug addiction in the family.
Substance Abuse-
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Community Awareness Message
The Prince William County Police Department released a community awareness message with a photo example of the counterfeit Percocet pill, sometimes referred to as perc30s. For full article, please visit INSIDENOVA.
