29-04-2025
Virginia first lady promotes fentanyl awareness in Roanoke
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) – Flags were flown at half-staff on Tuesday, April 29, in honor of National Fentanyl Awareness Day, an issue Virginia's First Lady, Suzanne Youngkin, holds close to her heart.
'We lost a young friend, a precious young friend from our community in Great Falls, Virginia. And at the time when we found out that he had passed from fentanyl poisoning, we really had no idea about the dangers of fentanyl. I felt very, very strongly that it was important to talk about an issue that oftentimes can be associated with a lot of shame and a lot of confusion.'
She introduced her 'It Only Takes One' campaign in Roanoke last year.
According to the Virginia Department of Health, in 2023, fifty-eight people died of a fentanyl overdose in the city of Roanoke, accounting for eighty percent of all drug overdoses.
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'The rates in Roanoke are pretty shocking and staggering. And so, we knew it was an area where we wanted to help, and we know that it's a passion project for the leaders in Roanoke. So, it was the perfect place.'
The city's sheriff's office started its own campaign called 'Be Bright Choose Right,' turning the focus to the schools. Sheriff Antonio Hash said he has a responsibility to protect the city's youngest residents, which is a major point in the creation of the campaign.
'With Fentanyl, it only takes one opportunity or one contact with fentanyl, and it can take out a whole school, it can take out a whole community, and we don't want that. So, this proactive measure is how we found that it is beneficial for our entire city.'
The faces of the campaign are five children. Hash said each character represents the diversity of the city.
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In videos and posters, the characters highlight the dangers of fentanyl, promoting 'if you see something- say something.'
'Just because it looks like it's safe on the playground, just because they look like you're safe in your community, that may not necessarily mean that it's not laced with something. So, take those precautionary measures before you consume something or put it in your mouth, or take a piece of candy that you found.'
Fentanyl overdoses are down from 2022 to 2023, but First Lady Youngkin believes there's still more work to be done.
'It takes one pill to take a life, but it takes one caring adult or one conversation to save a life.'
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