Fentanyl continues to be the primary opioid responsible for fatal and non-fatal overdoses in the Fairfax Health District. However, locally the percentage of fatal opioid overdoses involving fentanyl was slightly lower in 2025 compared to previous years.
Recently released preliminary data for 2025 illustrates that statewide and local opioid overdose fatalities have significantly declined for the second consecutive year, consistent with national trends. In the Fairfax Health District in 2025, there were 56 opioid overdose fatalities, a 22% reduction from 72 in 2024 and a cumulative 52% reduction from the record high of 117 in 2023. Further, this is the lowest annual number of opioid overdose fatalities in the Fairfax Health District since 2015.
Non-fatal opioid overdose emergency department visits in the Fairfax Health District also decreased by about 16% in 2025, with 244 visits compared to the 290 reported in 2024.
While this data is encouraging, the number of individuals and families impacted by opioid overdose and opioid use disorder remains far too high – and past reductions do not guarantee future decreases.
More detailed data is available on the Health Department’s Opioid Overdose Dashboard which is updated regularly.
Opioids Remain a Concern
The constantly evolving illicit drug supply continues to be a significant national challenge with the potential to reverse declining drug overdose trends. In recent months, the federal government has issued advisories for fentanyl mixed with emerging synthetic drugs, such as xylazine, nitazines, cychlorphine and medetomidine, which are making the already deadly drug supply even more unpredictable and lethal.
Other substances of concern are kratom and 7-OH (a concentrate of kratom that acts like an opioid and is even stronger than morphine). In response, a new Virginia law takes effect on July 1, 2026, creating new safeguards for the sale of kratom products, including a ban on the sale of products with 7-OH levels exceeding a defined threshold. Learn more about kratom and 7-OH.
Our County’s Response
The county’s Opioid and Substance Use (OSU) Task Force, guided by the FY 26-28 Opioid Response Plan, will continue to advance programs and activities across six priority areas:
- Education and Prevention;
- Early Intervention and Treatment;
- Data and Monitoring;
- Criminal Justice and Enforcement;
- Harm Reduction; and
- Recovery.
Collectively, these initiatives aim to reduce deaths from opioids, prevent opioid misuse, improve the quality of life of individuals impacted by opioids (including those with opioid use disorder and their family/friends) and use data to target and assess interventions. View this infographic highlighting the broad range and reach of this work.
More Information
Additional information about county resources available for individuals struggling with substance misuse and the county’s opioid response is available on our website and in our NewsCenter article. View these resources to learn what actions you can take to help address the impact of the national opioid epidemic on the Fairfax community, including but not limited to:
- Talking with your youth and other loved ones about the dangers associated with drug use. Have a short, judgment-free talk about stress, mental health, peer pressure and substance use. Get some quick tips on how to have these conversations from FCPS' Become Unskippable campaign.
- Watching a quick video or signing up for a virtual training class on how to recognize the signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose and administer naloxone nasal spray to reverse an opioid overdose.
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