First Lady Youngkin emphasizes fentanyl prevention across Virginia

On Thursday, First Lady of Virginia Suzanne S. Youngkin joined Virginia State Health Commissioner, Dr. Karen Shelton, and the local leaders of the Eanes-Pittman Safety Training Center in Chesterfield County, to emphasize the innovative and in the communities of the region to combat the fentanyl crisis. The event is part of the First Lady, which only takes an initiative that draws attention to the dangers of fentanyl and deals with local communities with instruments for prevention, intervention and recovery.

A proof of the effects of ongoing prevention efforts. New data from the Virginia Ministry of Health show that the deaths of fentanyl relatives in Virginia declined by 44% compared to the previous year and that more than 46% have decreased compared to their climax in heights 2021. 2021. According to the centers for disease control and prevention, Virginia leads the nation. The deaths of overdoses have dropped by 49.3% since 2023.

“Chesterfield is a shining example of what is possible if a caring, convicted community mobilizes support and services for the vulnerable,” said First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin. “The efforts of Chesterfield limit the fatal overdoses to single -digit digits in 2024 and underline life and underline the fact that it only needs a conversation, a resource or a guide to trigger a sensible change.”

The Chesterfield event has illuminated a number of local programs and partnerships to prevent overdose and to expand access to recovery tools. Community members, first aiders, headmaster and peer recovery specialists came together to share their stories and strategies for creating a more resilient and informed region.

“Virginia makes measurable progress, but there is more work,” said Dr. Karen Shelton, Health Commissioner of Virginia. “Chesterfields comprehensive, coordinated reaction based on data and is delivered via community partnerships is a blueprint for effective prevention.”

“Thanks to the team for mental health support services and our community base, we create a security net that works,” said Kathy Reed, MA, ICPS, Executive Director at Substance Refuse Free Environment Inc. (Safe) in Chesterfield. “This event shows what is possible if local leadership and state support match the shared mission of the rescue of life.”

Chesterfield County carried out a multi-stage approach to combating opioid epidemic, including:

• Free distribution of naloxone and test strips in libraries, prisons and through mobile public relations work
• A trauma-informed recovery program (HARP) in the district prison of the same age, trauma-informed,
• Initiatives for prevention education in schools such as the Stay Safe Toolkit and the PSA competitions of the students
• Biannuic medication Events and recreational access on the same day about fire/EMS partnerships

IT only takes an initiative, in cooperation with the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth and the Ministry of Health of Virginia, educational resources, community training and sensitization campaigns throughout Commonwealth continue to be. Thesis EFFORTS Include the launch of the It Only Takes One Newsletter, StateWide Resource Distribution to Media Outlets and Healthcare Providers, Outreach to Community Services Boards and Higher Education Institutions, The Creation of A Robust Online Resource Hub, Support for Operation Free (Fentanyl Avareness, Reduction, Enforcement, and Eradication) – Law Enforcement EFFORTS TO DISRUPT The Distribution of, and Confiscate, Illicit Drugs, The Fentany Family Ambassador's program, which now includes more than 100 ambassadors, and the IT NAY OneAl service (PSA), which was published on April 29 for compliance with National Fentanyness Day.

This work is supplemented by the cross -party legislation adopted in the General Assembly meeting of 2025, which aims to contain fentanyl and synthetic opioid abuse:

• SB 746 / HB 2657 (Senator Ryan McDougle / del. Joshua Thomas): Allows people who distribute fentanyl who lead to another person being charged with a crime.
• SB 1240 / HB2774 (Senator Glen Sturtevant / del. JJ Singh): obliges the headmaster of the public headmaster and head of private schools in the Commonwealth in order to report the parents of the enrolled students within 24 hours of confirmed or suspected, school -related overdose of school students as in the law.
• SB 469 (Sen. Mark Obentshain): Forbids the purchase, sale or distribution of pill presses and capsule of machines for the production of fake drugs.
• SB 498 (Senator Jennifer Carroll Foy): obliges the Virginia Education Committee to develop the guidelines for overdose overdose and guidelines for the notification of the parents.
• SB 614 / HB 1187 (Senator Ghazala Hashmi / Del. Christopher Head): Create punishment for the non -authorized possession or sale of Xylazin for human use.
• SB 726 / HB 732 (Senator Mamie Locke / del. Schuyler Vanvalkenburg): Mandate opioid overdose prevention and reverse education in public schools.
• HB 342 (del. Emily Brewer): requires state agencies, opioid antagonists such as naloxone to maintain the overdose reaction.

In addition, the Youngkin administration has committed new funds of 1.4 billion US dollars with its right aid, currently the initiative to strengthen behavioral health services throughout Virginia.

Fentanyl is still the most common cause of medication -related deaths in Virginia. The IT Takes Nedy One Initiative is obliged to equip Virginians with knowledge, tools and partnerships you need to protect your families and communities.