As the United States continues to combat the influx of fentanyl across its southern border, families who have tragically lost loved ones to opioid overdoses are raising awareness about the deadly risks of the synthetic drug. GOVERNOR GLENN YOUNGKIN and FIRST LADY SUZANNE YOUNGKIN of Virginia have spearheaded a series of initiatives to curb the spread of fentanyl, with the state now leading the nation in reducing drug overdose deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The Youngkin administration’s strategy to tackle the fentanyl crisis is built on four pillars: disrupting the drug trade, increasing penalties for drug dealers, educating the public about the dangers of fentanyl, and equipping individuals to save lives during an overdose. PETER FINOCCHIO, a spokesperson for the governor’s office, emphasized the importance of awareness, stating, “Everyone must know the danger posed by fentanyl: it only takes one pill to kill.”
The administration’s IT ONLY TAKES ONE campaign is a comprehensive effort to educate parents and caregivers on recognizing the signs of a drug overdose and administering nalotone (Narcan). Governor Youngkin highlighted the state’s progress in a press release, stating, “We passed new laws banning pill presses, notifying parents of overdoses in schools, and establishing a new felony to hold drug dealers accountable for overdose deaths.”
The initiative comes as the nation sees a 24% decline in drug overdose deaths for the 12 months ending in September 2024, according to the CDC. However, for parents like STEVE MUTH, who lost his son ZACHARY to a fentanyl-laced pill in February 2021, the statistics offer little solace. Zachary, a college student and fraternity member, unknowingly consumed a Xanax pill tainted with fentanyl. Muth shared his heartbreak, saying, “It can happen to anyone. My son thought it would never happen to him.”
In response to his son’s death, Muth co-founded ZEM LIFE with DR. JOANNA SAWYER, a board-certified anesthesiologist. The tech startup is developing a smartwatch capable of detecting signs of an overdose and administering Narcan. Dr. Sawyer warned of the drug’s potency, stating, “Just a few thousand grams can cause someone to stop breathing. The danger is that there’s no way to control what’s in a pill bought on the street.”
Governor Youngkin’s OPERATION FREE has also made significant strides in combating the fentanyl crisis, seizing over 55,350 pounds of illicit drugs, including 800 pounds of fentanyl, and making more than 2,500 arrests since its launch in May 2023. The state has also classified fentanyl as a weapon of terrorism, enabling terrorism charges for drug-related offenses.
Governor Youngkin expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts of state and federal agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations, in the fight against fentanyl. Muth emphasized the widespread impact of the crisis, stating, “These are not just drug addicts. They are students, athletes, and members of our communities. We must continue to fight to save lives.”
For more information, visit [CDC](https://www.cdc.gov) and [Virginia Governor’s Office](https://www.governor.virginia.gov).