Since Dec. 3, 2022, the Prince William County Police Department has responded to three overdoses, one of which was fatal, involving juveniles possibly consuming counterfeit Percocet pills containing the lethal narcotic Fentanyl.
The first incident occurred on Dec. 3 when officers responded to a home in the Manassas area of Prince William County for an unresponsive 17-year-old male juvenile. The family began CPR and administered Narcan as medical services were being contacted; however, the juvenile died.
The second instance was reported on Dec. 5 involving a 16-year-old male juvenile at a home in Manassas who was located in bed. The juvenile was responsive and reportedly foaming at the mouth. Fire & Rescue personnel transported to the juvenile to an area hospital where he is expected to recover.
The latest incident was reported on Dec. 7 at a home in Woodbridge where a 15-year-old male juvenile was reportedly unconscious. Family members performed CPR on the juvenile who regained consciousness and was transported to an area hospital where he is also expected to recover.
While no evidence currently directly links these latest incidents together, all three are believed to be connected to the popular fentanyl-laced narcotic known as “Perc30”. These incidents follow two other deaths that occurred earlier this year also involving youth consuming this lethal drug.
Parents, family, and loved ones are urged to follow the previously released community awareness message issued by the Police Department in April 2022 included below. The investigations into these latest incidents continue. Anyone with information on known distributors operating within the region, is asked to contact police.
Know the Signs. Save A Life. Give Narcan. Residents can obtain lifesaving Narcan nasal spray from Community Services. Learn the signs of opioid use, addiction, overdose, and how to respond using Narcan in 60 minutes by attending a virtual REVIVE training. There are three classes scheduled in December. The training can be found on the Community Services events calendar. Community Services provides substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery services to residents of Prince William County and the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park and is committed to reducing overdoses in our area. Visit their website of call 703-792-7800 or 703-792-4900 for more information.
COMMUNITY AWARENESS MESSAGE [Previously Issued April 27, 2022]
The Prince William County Police Department is issuing a warning, specifically to the youth community in the county, concerning illicit narcotic use. This awareness follows the recent deaths of two teens in a 48-hour period. Both deaths appear to be connected to counterfeit forms of the drug Percocet, sometimes referred to as “Perc30”. The counterfeit drugs in both recent incidents were preliminarily tested and confirmed as being laced with fentanyl.
Fentanyl is known to be extremely fatal, even in the smallest doses if the effects of an overdose are not recognized and treated immediately. If you suspect a loved one is overdosing, call 9-1-1 immediately and administer Narcan, if available. Narcan is publicly available in some locations.
While the investigations into the two recent deaths are ongoing, investigators have strong suspicions the victims overdosed after having consumed the fentanyl-laced narcotic. The official cause of deaths is pending toxicology results with the Medical Examiner’s Office and the origins of how the narcotics were obtained remains under investigation.
The Police Department recognizes our youth population as most susceptible to peer influence and pressures. We implore parents and guardians to take immediate action to actively engage with their children and loved ones as soon as possible about the dangers of drug use and encourage constructive dialogue to prevent further deaths and illness. If suspected illegal narcotics are found, they should not be handled, call police.
Prince William County Community Services and Prince William County Public Schools offer resources to help families with this discussion and provide assistance if needed. Help is also available through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The Drug Enforcement Agency provides valuable information to help families understand what to look if someone suspects counterfeit narcotic use.
The Police Department offers medication disposal boxes at each of the three district stations in the county for residents to dispose of narcotics safely, no questions asked.
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