'Alicia's Compass': Law Inspired by Centreville Teen's Struggle With Heroin Addiction

Alicia Lannes lost her battle with a heroin addiction on a chilly March morning four years ago—but her family hopes that a new law inspired by her memory will save other lives. 

Since his 19-year-old daughter's death of an overdose, Greg Lannes, his family and other neighbors affected by drug abuse have devoted countless hours to educating parents, teens and neighbors about the dangers of drug abuse. But Lannes believed there was more work to be done. 

"We felt that another thing Alicia would want us to do is point others in the right direction," said Lannes, a Centreville resident. 

A new law, "Alicia's Compass," recently passed unanimously in the Virginia House and Senate. When minor patients are discharged, hospitals must provide information about follow-up care, treatment and other services. It also requires that community services boards provide information to hospitals about alcohol and substance abuse services that are available for minors. The inspiration for the law came from the Lannes family's own experiences. When Alicia overdosed for the first time, there was no discharge plan; she and her family did much of the research about treatment themselves. 

"We thought that there would be some ramifications for overdosing. And what we found is that they basically just wrap you up in a blanket and send you out the door," Lannes said in an interview. 

Read more about Alicia Lannes' story, and how local parents and neighbors have united to raise awareness about addictions. 

Lannes said that Alicia's Compass does not place a new burden on hospitals; rather, it ensures that they use existing resources efficiently. He added that in most situations where a person engages in life-threatening behavior, such as a suicide attempt, there is a treatment plan afterwards. Not so for overdoses or alcohol poisonings. 

"We're missing a treatment opportunity in our community to do follow-up and assessment," Lannes said. 

Lannes approached Sully District Supervisor Michael Frey with the idea for a bill, and Frey in turn connected the family with Del. Tim Hugo (R-40th district) and Sen. Dave Marsden (D-37th district). While Hugo and Marsden typically take opposing views of pending legislation, they united to push versions of the bill in the Senate (SB 201) and House (HB 1075). 

"It is a shame that a young person's tragic death is what is required to improve our services and improve communication to those who are suffering from substance abuse. This bill is the first small step towards that end," Marsden said in a press release. 

"Any young person struggling with substance or alcohol abuse should be given the support and resources necessary to recover and restore their path towards a healthy, successful life," Hugo said, in the release. 

Lannes noted that it was helpful to have both a Republican and a Democrat pushing for passage and said he felt fortunate to have the law pass so quickly. It won't be the last time he pushes for improved services. When the economy improves, he hopes that the state would allocate more money towards hospital beds for rehabilitation and community service boards. He noted the large number of people now using prescription drugs to get high, and other designer drugs, such as "bath salts."

"Our kids are constantly being bombarded and we have to be prepared," he said. "We can't be prepared unless we have the resources in place."

Alicia's Compass is the first step to help get those resources in place. 

"We just felt that there was a huge gap missing that needed to be filled," Lannes said.