Police Investigated Incidents Involving Opioids
The data below is an overview of all police investigated incidents involving opioids. In response to large increases in the number of incidents involving opioids in recent years, the Arlington County Police Department continues to improve the way incidents are tracked and investigated. The Department’s Organized Crime Section is consulted on all opioid overdose incidents and when possible, overdose victims are referred to the Department of Human Services peer support programs for follow-up.
| Calendar Year | Total Incidents Involving Opioids* | Total Opioid Overdoses** | Total Opioid Overdoses – Non-Fatal | Total Opioid Overdoses – Fatal |
| 2014 | No Record | 10 | 6 | 4 |
| 2015 | 73 | 10 | 6 | 4 |
| 2016 | 122 | 45 | 33 | 12 |
| 2017*** | 157 | 74 | 55 | 19 |
| 2018 | 154 | 53 | 42 | 11 |
| 2019 | 95 | 42 | 36 | 6 |
| 2020 (as of 5/26/2020) | 40 | 20 | 14 | 6 |
*All incidents involving heroin (Overdoses, Possession and Distribution Cases **Total Fatal and Non-Fatal Heroin Overdoses *** 5/4/18 Update: Recent returns of lab results from 2017 case evidence submissions has increased the Total Incidents Involving Opioids in 2017 from 155 to 157. (Data reflects police incidents.)
Geographic and Demographic Opioid Incident Data
The impacts of the opioid crisis in Arlington are widespread across the County and its diverse populations– affecting people of all ages, demographics and income levels. This information is intended to provide a snapshot of its reach. Local, state and national law enforcement agencies, as well as other County agencies and non-profit partners, continue to work proactively to monitor incident trends, track data, collaborate on investigations and develop innovative approaches to education and outreach in the community as part of the comprehensive response to the ongoing opioid crisis in Arlington County.
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Opioid Overdoses by Age in Arlington (2015-2018)
Data sourced from Arlington County Police Department internal records