Governor Glenn Youngkin announced today that new data from the Virginia Department of Health shows fentanyl-related overdose deaths in Virginia have declined by 44% year-over-year and are decreased over 46% from the peak in 2021.
Additionally, in his report April- Governor Glenn Youngkin Announces Record Reduction in Fentanyl Overdose Deaths in Virginia | Governor.Virginia.gov, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that Virginia leads the nation in percentage declines in drug overdose deaths between November 2023 and November 2024.
First Lady of Virginia, Suzanne S. Youngkin is urging adults to talk to their children about the dangers of fentanyl.
“Fentanyl is one of the most dangerous substances out there. It’s an illicit opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. Last year, we lost a hundred young Virginians to fentanyl poisoning, down from 200 the previous year,” Suzanne Youngkin stated.
This deadly opioid is illegal and often disguised in pills that resemble common prescriptions like Xanax and Adderall.
Suzanne Youngkin referenced a study by the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth, which found that over 69% of young people have encountered powders or pills in social settings, and 60% reported being offered a pill by a peer.
Read more about the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth here. VFHY Home | Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth (VFHY)
But the CDC recognizes Virginia as a leader in reducing overdose deaths, with a 40% reduction in fentanyl overdoses last year, Suzanne Youngkin said.
Read more about Virginia’s drug overdose and substance use data here at the Virginia Department of Health. Drug Overdose Data
She encourages parents to engage with their children and utilize resources from healthcare providers, school counselors, and the website itonlytakesone.virginia.gov for tips on initiating these crucial conversations.
“I think it’s essential for parents to be present and listen to their children. They should ask what their kids are seeing and how they are feeling. Parents don’t need to be experts; they just need to start the conversation,” Suzanne Youngkin advised.
She also mentioned the 988 crisis hotline, which is available 24/7 for support.
On National Fentanyl Awareness Day, Suzanne Youngkin emphasizes the importance of these conversations.
“Our motto is ‘It only takes one.’ Unfortunately, it only takes one pill, one vape, or one joint laced with fentanyl to steal a life. However, it takes one caring adult and one critical conversation to save a life,” she concluded.
