ICYMI: As WJLA’s Nick Minock reported, Governor Glenn Youngkin is continuing his push to deter fentanyl trafficking in Virginia and improve transparency for parents about fentanyl in Virginia schools. 

Youngkin has called for stricter penalties for fentanyl dealers, including charging criminals with felony homicide if they deal drugs that lead to a death. 

In the wake of several school-related fentanyl overdoses that went unreported for weeks, Youngkin issued an executive order requiring parental notification within 24 hours of a student overdose.  

Both policies remain top priorities for Governor Youngkin as fentanyl remains a persistent threat in Virginia.  

WJLA: 'We cannot coddle drug dealers:' Youngkin looks to address fentanyl crisis in Virginia
By Nick Minock
November 24, 2023 

As a flood of fake pills laced with fentanyl are being distributed in the D.C. region, Virginia lawmakers are expected to tackle the growing issue in the upcoming legislative session. 

“I think that the legislature is going to be closely divided as it was previously,” Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares told 7News. “I think we have a real opportunity to lock arms together and find areas of agreement.” 

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One area for possible agreement is more funding through the budget. However, there may be continued disagreement on tougher penalties for drug dealers. 

Earlier this year, Virginia Democrats blocked a bill that Governor Glenn Youngkin and Miyares pushed for that would have created stricter penalties on people who manufacture, sell, gift or distribute schedule I or II controlled substances. 

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“I believe if you're a drug dealer and you deal drugs and someone dies, you should be charged with a felony homicide, full stop, no questions asked,” Youngkin told 7News. “We cannot coddle drug dealers.” 

Although Democratic lawmakers may try to block the deal again, at least one Democrat might vote for the legislation. 

State Senator-elect Russet Perry told 7News, “Those who are trafficking in fentanyl are taking advantage of people struggling with addiction and should be held accountable. I support a separate and distinct charge of felony homicide in those cases.” 

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A Perry spokesperson also told 7News that Perry is open to legislation that would require schools to notify parents immediately of fentanyl overdoses at schools and notify parents when schools discover fentanyl on school grounds. 

Following 7News’s reporting on how the Loudoun County Superintendent didn’t notify the public for weeks about several student overdoses, Youngkin signed an executive order requiring notification to parents within 24 hours of student overdoses. It’s an EO that Youngkin wants to codify into state law. 

“Imagine had [Loudoun County Public Schools] told parents early on and say ‘hey, listen, this is what's going on. Tell your children to not take any pill. They're counterfeit, they're laced with fentanyl’. [LCPS] might have avoided numbers two through nine [overdoses at Park View High School in Sterling]. They didn't do that. There should be a law,” Youngkin said.
 

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