LCPS reports first non-fatal suspected overdose of the 2024-25 school year

LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. (7News) — Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) officials said police are investigating a non-fatal, suspected student overdose that occurred Tuesday.

The suspected overdose is the first one reported since the start of the 2024-25 school year.

Last year, student overdoses were a concern for school districts in Virginia and across the DMV region, especially after 11 Park View High School students overdosedwithin two months.

7News’ reporting on the rise in student overdoses and delayed notification from school leaders led Governor Glenn Youngkin to sign an executive order that requires all Virginia schools to notify their community of suspected student overdoses within 24 hours.

RELATED | Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin signs bill on student overdose notification guidelines

According to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, there were 22 non-fatal overdoses involving juveniles in 2023.

To prevent the student from being identified, officials did not clarify the location of Tuesday’s suspected overdose.

The overdose alert shared resources for parents and community members.

Read the full letter below:

“In accordance with guidance received from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) related to the Governor’s Executive Order 28, we are writing to make you aware that law enforcement is investigating a non-fatal, suspected overdose.

Out of concern for the student’s privacy, we will not be releasing further information about the incident itself. We are working with the student and their family to provide appropriate support.

Per the State Superintendent’s Memo 144-23 from November 17, 2023, regarding best practices for complying with Executive Order 28, information about a student may be shared if “The information shared does not allow for the identification of a student.” Because of the circumstances of today’s incident, the student could reasonably be identified. Therefore, Loudoun County Public Schools will not be identifying the location of the suspected overdose.

Opioid use is a local, state and national issue, and we are grappling with how best to navigate it as a school division. As a reminder, LCPS has Naloxone available at every school in the division. Administrators (at least one in each building), all student health services staff (resource nurses and clinic staff), all student assistance specialists, directors of school counseling, all athletic trainers, senior staff and cabinet members, coaches, all athletic directors, and all safety and security officers received the training. Every campus has at least one administrator, nurse, student assistance specialist, and SSO trained in administering Naloxone and doses are available in the clinic. All School Resource Officers for Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office and Leesburg Police Department carry it as well.

Please visit the LCPS Drug Awareness webpage to find information and resources about the dangers associated with substance abuse. You can also contact the Mental Health, Substance Abuse & Developmental Services to get help for a friend or loved one struggling with substance abuse.

As always, if you have any information about safety concerns at your child’s school, please “See Something, Say Something” and contact your child’s school, law enforcement, or access the Safe2Talk anonymous tip app that can be downloaded to any mobile device.”