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It Only Takes One
The First Lady of Virginia Suzanne S. Youngkin’s
Fentanyl Awareness Initiative
October 2025 Newsletter
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Dear Friends,
Saving lives begins with prevention — and prevention starts with awareness, compassion, and conversation.
This October, we recognized observances like World Mental Health Day, Emotional Wellness Month, and Substance Abuse Prevention Month.
| |  | First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin visited Four Truths Recovery in Roanoke to tour Virginia’s first Women & Children’s Recovery Home — keeping mothers and children together on the path to healing and hope. | | |
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Each of these observances is a reminder of how vital prevention is — and that hope begins to grow when we reach out before a crisis happens. The focus of these observances reflects the heart of It Only Takes One: raising awareness, equipping communities, and empowering Virginians to take action that can save lives.
Across the Commonwealth, I have seen that spirit alive and well. From college campuses where students are learning to recognize the signs of an overdose, to family ambassadors turning loss into advocacy, Virginians are showing what prevention in action looks like. Each conversation, REVIVE! opioid overdose and naloxone training, and act of care fuels a movement where fewer lives are lost — and more are healed.
That movement continues to grow:
- Over 160 Virginians have pledged to talk with the youth in their lives.
- Over 150 Fentanyl Family Ambassadors are turning loss into action.
- Nearly 30 Fentanyl College Ambassadors are leading peer-prevention efforts across campuses.
Each new commitment represents another life touched — and another step toward a safer Virginia.
Thank you for being part of this growing movement. Together, we are proving that prevention works, recovery is possible, and that it truly only takes one to make a difference.
With gratitude,
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Suzanne S. Youngkin
First Lady of Virginia
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Celebrate Virginia’s Leadership
in Combating Fentanyl
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It Only Takes One Sweeps Across
Virginia’s College Campuses!
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This month, First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin visited the University of Virginia, Liberty University, Bluefield University, and Graham Middle School to promote the It Only Takes One Fentanyl College Ambassador Program and encourage students to take action to save lives.
In partnership with the Virginia Department of Health, university students were offered the opportunity to participate in REVIVE! trainings to learn how to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose using naloxone. The First Lady emphasized that one voice, one choice, and one action can make all the difference.
Through the It Only Takes One College Ambassador Program, students are leading campus conversations, organizing awareness events, and using the Campus Activation Toolkit — a resource filled with ready-to-use materials to educate peers and expand prevention efforts.
🔗 Learn more and sign up to become a Fentanyl College Ambassador
University of Virginia Visit
| | Bluefield University Visit | | Graham Middle School Visit | | |
Media outlets across Virginia highlighted the First Lady’s visits to schools and communities, where she shared the It Only Takes One message and encouraged Virginians of all ages to take action to save lives.
Read and watch the coverage here:
Stay connected — visit our News and Events page for featured coverage and upcoming opportunities to join us.
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Fentanyl College Ambassador Spotlight:
Lauren Killiany’s Impact at Liberty University
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From Lauren:
As a criminal justice student at Liberty University, I am often told about the dangers of fentanyl and other drugs. Through my position as the Deputy Chief of Administrations for the Associate Dean of the Helms School of Government, I was honored to be given the opportunity to join the fight against fentanyl. I worked with First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin’s team to plan a fentanyl awareness event at Liberty University. During the event, Mrs. Youngkin spoke to the attendees about the dangers of and statistics around fentanyl. Students were also given the opportunity to discuss the issue with leaders at Liberty University, including President Dondi Costin.
Fentanyl does not discriminate. This issue needs to be discussed in all circles and should be something that brings everyone together. As Mrs. Youngkin says, it only takes one conversation about fentanyl to save a life. We all need to be involved in protecting our communities from this terrible drug. I am honored to do my part in this by being a Fentanyl College Ambassador with the hope that one day there will no longer be a fentanyl crisis in the United States.
Lauren Killiany
Liberty University
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Fentanyl Family Ambassador Spotlight:
Sarah Link
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Sarah Link, an It Only Takes One Fentanyl Family Ambassador from Lynchburg, turned personal tragedy into purpose after losing her sister to fentanyl poisoning in 2017. In 2021, she founded Virginia Moms, a support network for mothers who have lost a child to fentanyl.
Through Virginia Moms, Sarah builds healing connections, escorts families testifying before the General Assembly, and leads awareness efforts — including fentanyl prevention billboards displayed in Roanoke this October.
Her message is clear: connection is a powerful part of healing, and voices are stronger when they stand together.
💜 Thank you, Sarah, for your courage and leadership.
🔗 Read How Sarah Link and Virginia Moms Are Turning Grief Into Awareness
🔗 Learn more about the Fentanyl Family Ambassador Program
| | Nonprofit Spotlight: KnoMore | | |
Know More. No More. KnoMore is on a mission to stop drink spiking through education, advocacy, and innovation.
Founded by Danya Sherman — a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and Toyota Mother of Invention — KnoMore equips communities with knowledge, safety tools, and partnerships to protect individuals in social settings.
Their motto:
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Know More about drink spiking and prevention.
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No More tolerance for unsafe environments.
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Educate and Advocate through collaboration with law enforcement, universities, and nightlife venues.
🔗 Discover KnoMore’s resources
| | Supporting Youth Mental Health Through Service | | |
On October 10, the First Lady joined state and local leaders at the Annie Giles Community Center in Richmond to launch the Virginia Youth Mental Health Corps (YMHC).
Virginia is one of 11 states participating in this AmeriCorps program, which engages young adults in expanding youth mental health support while building pathways into the behavioral health field. Led by Serve Virginia, the initiative aligns with the It Only Takes One focus on prevention — strengthening early intervention, resilience, and community connection to reduce substance use and save lives.
| Building Recovery Together in Petersburg | | |
On September 24, the It Only Takes One team joined the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth at a Petersburg Recovery Event.
Together, they distributed IOTO merchandise, shared educational resources, and connected with community members about recovery and prevention.
Events like these remind us that every conversation counts — and every connection strengthens the fight against fentanyl.
| | Connecting Hope and Healing in Roanoke | | |
The First Lady visited Project Link, a program of Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare, to learn how they support women and families impacted by substance use. Since 1992, Project Link has offered innovative, community-based services — from perinatal mental health care and peer recovery to housing and parenting support — helping mothers, fathers, and children find healing and hope.
She also hosted a Women+girls Gathering at Straight Street — a ministry serving teens and families in the Roanoke Valley for 30 years — featuring a fireside conversation with Dr. Kimberly Simcox of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Christine Wright, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Four Truths Recovery. Their discussion highlighted the power of mentorship, faith, and community in overcoming addiction.
Through organizations like these, Virginians are seeing It Only Takes One and Right Help, Right Now in action — building resilience, recovery, and renewed hope across the Commonwealth.
| | 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
| | Become a Fentanyl College Ambassador | | |
Do you want to make a difference on your campus? The Fentanyl College Ambassador Program empowers students to lead peer-to-peer education, share resources, and host events that raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl. Ambassadors receive training, materials, and support to bring lifesaving conversations and REVIVE! training to their schools.
🔗 Sign up to be a College Ambassador and access the Campus Activation Toolkit
| | Honor a Loved One by Adding them to our 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 Glenn 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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