Informational posters about fentanyl overdoses and how to help someone overdosing

The posters that have begun to pop up everywhere around AHS have sparked much conversation among students. Posters about the dangers of fentanyl and how to help someone overdosing have been put up in bathrooms and in the hallways. “The reason I like the posters from the CDC are because they are about what to do if someone is overdosing, because if it’s going to happen it’s probably going to be in a bathroom so I wanted to try to provide some facts and information so students could read it and talk about it and discuss it. I’ve had a lot of students stop by my office to talk about it, they have been pretty successful just trying to get more information out there and to spark conversations,” School Resource Officer (SRO) David Curcio said. Curcio took charge in putting up the posters. “I looked to see what some of the most effective strategies used to distribute that information to teens and that was through facts. Teens like it when they have the facts and that they have the ability to make their own decisions about things, that’s why I choose informational posters over something scary. I wanted them to be informative.”

Preparing for difficult conversations about drugs presentation

On March 6, from 6- 8 p.m. in the AHS library, The Fairfax County Police Department and Community Services Board hosted a informational sessions for parents and community members on how to have and handle difficult conversations with their teens about substance use (specific to alcohol, marijuana and opioids), substance prevention, addiction, interventions, and available support.

Hidden in Plain Sight Program (HIPS)

The Fairfax County Police Department offers a program called Hidden in Plain Sight, which provides a hands-on lesson for parents to take note of dangerous behaviors in their teenagers. “In the past I have offered our program, Hidden in plain sight. It was originally created by the DEA back in the 90s. It is a program for parents not only about fentanyl use, but drug use in general and mental health. The overall message of that program is to give information to parents on how to start information with their teen about behavior changes,” said Annandale’s School Resource Officer, Officer. Curcio. The PTA has offered sessions in both English and Spanish so all parents and guardians are welcome and encouraged to attend the next Hidden In Plain Sight Presentation.

Opioid awareness meeting

An Opioid Awareness Meeting was held at Fairfax High School on Monday, March 13th where FCPS Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid was joined with Chief Kevin Davis of the Fairfax County Police Department to share information and awareness about the Opioid issue in our county and the Overdose Prevention Initiative that plans to help combat the issue. Attendance and the opportunity to ask questions was open to all. FCPS plans to hold one in every High School in the county. AHS SRO, Officer Curiso attended the meeting at Lewis High School last Tuesday, March 14th