Governor Glenn Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin marked a significant decline in fentanyl-involved overdose deaths in Virginia, announcing a nearly 59 percent reduction compared to January 2022 levels. The event, held at the Patrick Henry Building, brought together state officials, law enforcement leaders, and families affected by fentanyl.
“With an average of five Virginians dying each day in 2022, we launched a comprehensive effort to stop the scourge of fentanyl. Today, Virginia leads the nation and has cut fentanyl overdose deaths by more than half,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “Over the past four years, we have prioritized interruption of the drug trade through the Virginia State Police led Operation FREE; enacted a new ban on pill presses and increased punishment of fentanyl dealers with a felony when sales result in fatal overdoses; educated Virginians about the dangers of fentanyl through the First Lady’s It Only Takes One initiative and the Attorney General’s One Pill, Can Kill efforts; and equipped Virginians to save someone’s life with the mass distribution of naloxone. All of this is supported by our Right Help, Right Now behavioral health transformation — delivering crisis care to vulnerable Virginians.”
First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin highlighted the importance of community engagement in prevention efforts. “Today we commemorate the profound, positive impact of a collective effort to protect Virginians from the dangers of deadly fentanyl,” she said. “It Only Takes One is an awareness campaign built on the idea that one mistake can take a life, but one caring conversation can save a life. We are forever grateful to those having life-saving conversations and doing the hard work of prevention.”
Attorney General Jason Miyares credited leadership and collaboration for saving lives across Virginia. “More Virginians are alive today because of Governor Youngkin’s leadership and our Commonwealth’s multifaceted approach to combating the fentanyl and addiction epidemic. The greatest act of strength for anyone battling addiction is asking for help — and Virginia stands ready with meaningful support and resources,” he said. “I am incredibly proud of the Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection team, whose relentless work has secured more than $1 billion from drug manufacturers and distributors to help communities reduce, prevent, and treat addiction at the local level. However, we cannot afford to slow our efforts. Now is the time to double down on our commitment to fighting addiction and supporting every Virginian on the path to recovery.”
U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency Administrator Terry Cole commented on Virginia’s achievement: “Fentanyl is driving the worst drug crisis of our time, but we will not allow this threat to persist,” he said. “Virginia’s success proves that when law enforcement, prevention, and public health efforts move with one purpose, lives are saved. DEA is proud to support Virginia’s achievement, and we are working to bring this same unity of effort to every community in America. Together, we will make this nation fentanyl free.”
Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Marcus Anderson emphasized coordination among agencies: “This milestone represents the result of an unprecedented, unified commitment to protecting Virginians,” he said. “Cutting fentanyl-related overdose deaths by nearly 59 percent is not an accident, it is the direct outcome of disciplined enforcement, strategic interdiction, and relentless coordination across federal, state, and local partners.”
Secretary of Health and Human Resources Janet V. Kelly noted that collaboration was key: “Behind every number is a life saved and a family spared unimaginable loss,” she said.“Virginia’s success shows what’s possible when collaboration, compassion, and common sense drive action. This unified effort has turned the tide of fentanyl in our Commonwealth — and restored hope to countless Virginians.”
Operation FREE played a central role in disrupting illegal drug activity throughout Virginia by seizing over 850 pounds of fentanyl along with other narcotics; authorities also made nearly 3,000 arrests as part of these operations.
The state legislature passed new laws banning pill presses used for manufacturing illicit drugs; established requirements for schools regarding notification after student overdoses; created felony charges for drug dealers connected with fatal overdoses; defined fentanyl as a weapon under terrorism statutes.
Education initiatives such as It Only Takes One involved outreach through family ambassadors at colleges across eleven institutions statewide as well as targeted media campaigns reaching millions.
Since July 2022 more than 430 thousand doses of naloxone have been distributed by public health agencies while tens of thousands received training on its use.
