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| Friend,  On National Fentanyl Awareness Day the Governor, First Lady, and the Governor’s Cabinet Secretaries joined educators, students, law enforcement officials, and health practitioners to raise awareness about the opioid epidemic and the increase in fentanyl overdose deaths. In 2022 alone, there were 1,951 fentanyl deaths in Virginia. Fentanyl is destroying families, and this is happening all too frequently in Virginia and across the country. The inaction of Joe Biden and his Administration requires Governor's to lead. In addition to Governor Youngkin's Executive Order galvanizing a multitude of government forces to combat fentanyl, life-saving, naloxone REVIVE! trainings occurred across the state. Further, flags across Virginia flew at half-staff in honor of lives lost to fentanyl poisoning and the families they have left behind. And the Governor and First Lady met with mothers who have lost children to fentanyl poisoning – sadly, an ever-expanding group of Virginians and Americans. Governor Youngkin: “Joe Biden and the White House must go to work. They need to secure this border, and they need to stop the flow of people and illicit, illegal drugs, and keep Americans safe.” Yesterday, Governor Youngkin also signed a series of bills to combat illicit fentanyl with one designating fentanyl as a weapon of terrorism. Now, dealing and distributing fentanyl can be designated as a terrorist act. It’s the first step in cracking down on this horrific industry in our Commonwealth. Further, Governor Youngkin is focused on delivering the right help, right now and transforming behavioral health care for Virginians. He knows that a community approach is crucial in resolving the fentanyl crisis - we need to work together to increase awareness, education, and access to treatment for those affected by this epidemic. Together, we can spread awareness and save lives.
Thank you, Team Youngkin   
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