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It Only Takes One
The First Lady of Virginia Suzanne S. Youngkin’s
Fentanyl Awareness Initiative
June 2025 Newsletter
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Dear Friends,
Across the Commonwealth, we are witnessing the power of conversation and community in action. Whether it’s educating parents about fentanyl, equipping young people with life-saving knowledge, or strengthening maternal health care, Virginians are stepping up for one another—and saving lives.
| |  | First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin and Governor Glenn Youngkin visit the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority Women’s Residential Treatment Center to honor the strength of mothers in recovery during Maternal Mental Health Month. | | |
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This month’s newsletter reflects that momentum. From new awareness campaigns and bipartisan legislation to meaningful partnerships with organizations like Victoria’s Voice, we are making progress that matters.
As we marked Father’s Day, I also want to recognize the dads and father figures who stand as protectors, teachers, and examples. Your presence matters—especially in a world where just one conversation can change the course of a child’s life.
With gratitude,
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Suzanne S. Youngkin
First Lady of Virginia
| | | | National Naloxone Awareness Day: Shining Light, Saving Lives | | |
On June 4, First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin joined Virginia This Morning alongside Tiana Vazquez, REVIVE! Opioid Overdose and Naloxone Education program Health Education Specialist with the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, to raise awareness about naloxone’s life-saving power.
With a 46% decline in fentanyl-related overdose deaths since the 2021 peak, Virginia is showing that raising awareness, expanding access to critical resources and providing compassionate education are truly making a lifesaving difference.
🔗 Watch the interview
🔗 More coverage:
| | One PSA, One Life-Saving Message | | |
Our latest public service announcement (PSA) delivers a powerful reminder to Virginia parents: one conversation can save a life. In just 30 seconds, it shares a sobering fact—60% of Virginia teens say they were offered pills or powders in the past year. And just one fake pill, vape pen, or powder could contain enough fentanyl to be fatal.
🔗 Watch—and take the challenge: Share this PSA with five friends or loved ones. You never know whose life it could help save.
| Nonprofit Spotlight: Victoria’s Voice Foundation | | |
Founded after losing their 18-year-old daughter Victoria to an overdose, David and Jackie Siegel turned their pain into purpose by creating Victoria’s Voice Foundation. The organization now leads nationally in prevention, education, and advocacy.
Victoria's Voice has reached over one million students, parents, and educators. In 2023, their advocacy helped establish June 6 as National Naloxone Awareness Day.
On this year’s observance, First Lady Youngkin joined Victoria’s Voice in Washington, D.C., for a moving press conference. We also collaborated to send “influencer boxes” containing Narcan, purple lights, and It Only Takes One resources to First Spouses nationwide, encouraging them to shine, wear, share and care.
Each kit carried a clear call to action:
- Shine a purple light for lives lost
- Wear purple—the color of recovery
- Share what you learn
- Be the one who cares
This beautiful partnership exemplifies the heart of It Only Takes One—that one action, one conversation, and one shared story can make all the difference.
🔗 Support their work
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Strengthening Accountability:
New Law Targets Deadly Fentanyl Distribution
| | FLOVA on 12News: Elevating Local Voices | | |
On June 11, First Lady Youngkin sat down with Destini Harris of 12News for a powerful conversation about It Only Takes One. They discussed awareness, prevention, and what community action really looks like in Virginia’s fight against fentanyl. The interview highlighted the stories behind the statistics—each one a reminder that every number represents a life, a family, and a second chance.
🔗 Watch the segment
| | A Safer Future for Virginia Moms | | |
On June 3, Governor and First Lady Youngkin visited Bon Secours Southside Medical Center to sign bipartisan maternal health legislation that’s helping save lives across Virginia.
Since 2022, Virginia has:
✔ Extended postpartum Medicaid coverage
✔ Trained 200+ state-certified doulas
✔ Launched three maternal health dashboards
✔ Cut maternal deaths in half
Every mother deserves informed, compassionate care—and every child deserves a strong start. Like our fentanyl prevention work, this too is about stopping tragedy before it starts.
🔗 Read the press release
| | Become a Fentanyl Family Ambassador | | |
If you’ve lost a loved one to fentanyl, your story can help save lives. The Fentanyl Families Ambassador Program equips participants with tools to raise awareness and advocate for change through storytelling, monthly awareness events, and ready-to-use materials.
🔗 Sign up
| | Add a Loved One to the Memorial Wall | |
The Memorial Wall is a sacred space to honor lives lost to fentanyl poisoning. If you would like to add a name to the wall, we invite you to share your loved one’s information with us.
🔗 Submit a name to the Memorial Wall
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The fight against fentanyl starts with awareness and action. Join the movement by taking the pledge to talk with the young people in your life about the dangers of fentanyl. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, coach, or caregiver, your voice can make a difference. By having open, honest conversations, we can protect our youth and prevent unnecessary tragedies.
Help us spread the word—encourage your friends, family, and community to take the pledge and explore resources available on the It Only Takes One website. Learn how to start the conversation, find support, and access life-saving training. Together, we can create a safer future for Virginia’s youth. Take the pledge today!
🔗 Find resources and sign the pledge
| | Keep Up with the First Lady and Virginia’s Behavioral Health Transformation, Right Help, Right Now | | | | |
Register for First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin's newsletters!
📩 It Only Takes One Newsletter – Raising awareness and taking action against the fentanyl crisis.
📩 W+g Newsletter – Supporting women and families through key initiatives, resources, and engagement opportunities.
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Register for Governor Youngkin’s behavioral health transformation newsletter!
📩 Right Help, Right Now Newsletter – Expanding mental health care, strengthening crisis response, and improving community services.
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