Arlington County Board members on Sept. 23 are expected to approve a memorandum of understanding with the Virginia Department of Health that would allow staff of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court to provide naloxone – better known under the brand name NARCAN – to clients and family members, and others connected to the court system.
“Multiple jurisdictions in the region and country have participated in similar programs, with drastic improvements in survival rates of opioid overdoses,” county officials said in a memo to County Board members.
“The youth population involved with the Juvenile and Domestic Relations (JDR) Court are known to be at higher risk for opioid use,” staff said. “JDR staff have identified numerous clients as active fentanyl users.”
Local staff will receive training in administering naloxone nasal spray, and could also be authorized to use fentanyl test strips to detect the presence or absence of fentanyl, reducing the risk of unintentional exposure and overdose.
The county government will not be required to provide a cash match.
