Hundreds push for more drug abuse, mental health resources for Fairfax Co. kids

Around 450 people gathered in Fairfax County on Sunday for an assembly to raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl overdoses and push for greater access to naloxone, the overdose reversal drug, for young people.

"[Naloxone] saves lives and police officers are trained in how to use it - we want to additionally train folks in school districts on how to be able to use it," saidRev. Stephen Smith-Cobbs with the nonprofit , which stands forVirginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement, an organization with more than 50 religious communities and civic organizations working together to solve problems in our communities.

VOICE, which held the event in partnership with Inova Health System, is also calling for the creation of a mental health crisis receiving center for youth in Northern Virginia.

"We feel like this can really be a trendsetter to help make a difference," said Rev. Smith-Cobbs. He explained the crisis intervention center would also save time for police, who respond to mental health 911 calls.

The proposed center is still in the early stages, Rev. Smith-Cobbs explained, working to secure funding before creating a building plan that ultimately would need to be approved by the county board of supervisors. Chairman Jeff McKay was also invited to speak at the event.

"We will continue to ensure that it gets built and operated as quickly as we possibly can," McKay told the crowd.

Jorge Chavarria Rodriguez, a 16-year-old Arlington boy who died from an overdose a year ago this month, was recognized at the event. His mother took the stage in the Fairfax County High School auditorium with pictures of him on the screen behind her.

"He was very happy, all the time he was happy," Luz Rodriguez told 7News. "When he was here in life, it was very gratifying to see him smile all the time. But now that it's here in pictures, it's sad but it's also good to see [him] smiling."

Luz goes to events like this to share her son's story and warn parents about the dangers of fentanyl. She said another teenager gave him half a pill unknowingly laced with fentanyl.

"Even half a pill can kill," she said.

Luz hopes the proposed multimillion-dollar crisis intervention center comes to fruition.

"It can help other kids and I don't want another mom to lose a kid and have these feelings," she said.