Transcript: Health and Safety Podcast

Nov. 12, 2025

Hello, and welcome to the Fairfax County Health and Safety Podcast. Coming up, learn about scam phone calls coming apparently from local sheriff’s deputies and the dangers of fentanyl and what you can do about it. Links to topics mentioned in this podcast can be found online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov.

 

The Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office is warning community members about a recent rise in scam phone calls targeting residents. In these cases, callers falsely identify themselves as deputies or other representatives of the Sheriff’s Office. The scammer claims there is a warrant for the person’s arrest and demands payment to resolve the matter. The Sheriff’s Office reminds residents:

• We will never request payment by phone.
• Do not provide personal or financial information.

If you are unsure whether a call is legitimate, hang up and call the Sheriff’s Office directly. Anyone who has received one of these calls or fallen victim to the scam is encouraged to email the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office at, mailto:SHF-Sheriff@fairfaxcounty.gov.

 

Fentanyl is the primary opioid responsible for fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the Fairfax Health District. Since 2022, more than 95% of all opioid overdose deaths have involved fentanyl. Information on local overdose trends is available in the Fairfax Opioid Overdose Dashboard. Fentanyl is an opioid that is a common substitute or cutting agent in illicit narcotics such as cocaine, heroin, MDMA (also known as ecstasy or molly), as well as counterfeit pills. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), 2 milligrams of fentanyl – the amount on the tip of the pencil in the photo – is a potentially deadly dose. In 2025, the DEA seized over 39 million fentanyl pills and 8,070 pounds of fentanyl powder, representing over 300 million deadly doses. How can you tell the signs of an opioid overdose?

• Face is pale or clammy
• Breathing is infrequent or has stopped
• Deep snoring or gurgling (death rattle)
• Unresponsive to any stimuli
• Slow or no heart rate and/or pulse
• Bluish purple, or ashen skin color
• Fingernails turn blue or blue-black

This is a communitywide problem and requires a comprehensive approach to prevent future overdoses and to connect people experiencing opioid and substance misuse to treatment and support services. Talk with your youth and other loved ones who are impacted by substance misuse about the dangers associated with drug use. Have a short, judgment-free talk about stress, mental health, peer pressure and substance use. You can also start talking about medication safety early by advising young children not to take any pills without asking you first. Only take pills prescribed by your doctor from a licensed pharmacy. Never buy pills from social media, online, on the street or from unlicensed pharmacies. NewsCenter has more information; fairfaxcounty.gov/news.

 

Did you know that Fairfax County's free alert system sends you important information during an emergency, helps you navigate your commute and shares community information? You can also customize your Fairfax Alerts to receive the information pertinent to you. Don't miss this important information! Sign up for Fairfax Alerts today at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/alerts.

 

The holidays inspire charitable giving, but scammers take advantage of this goodwill by creating fake charities to steal your donations. They may contact you through unsolicited phone calls, emails, or posts on social media. Here’s how to stay safe:

• Don’t answer calls from unknown numbers or click on links in unsolicited emails.
• Research a charity before donating to ensure it’s legitimate. You can verify charities at websites like Give.org, CharityWatch.org, or CharityNavigator.org.
• To confirm that your donation is tax-deductible, search for the organization through the IRS’s tax-exempt organization search at irs.gov.
• Only donate using credit cards or checks. Charities that ask for payment via wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency are likely scams.

If you suspect a scam:

• Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
• File a complaint with your state’s charity regulator. In Virginia, contact the Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs.

 

Finally, each month the Department of Emergency Management and Security produces both the “Emergency Preparedness” newsletter and a monthly emergency preparedness webinar. Learn more about these free resources online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergencymanagement.

 

That’s it for this edition of the Fairfax County Health and Safety Podcast, produced by the Fairfax County, Va., Government. Thanks for listening. Additional information about health and safety topics and emergency preparedness may be found on our emergency information blog at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency/blog. Follow the Health and Safety podcast on soundcloud.com/fairfaxcounty and our podcasts webpage, fairfaxcounty.gov/podcasts. And remember, if you have a police, fire, or medical emergency, call 9-1-1. For non-emergency needs, call 703-691-2131.