From the Desk of First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin

Recognizing National Fentanyl Awareness Day in Virginia

Pictured: Governor Glenn Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin on Fentanyl Awareness Day, May 7th, 2024.

In honor of National and Virginia Fentanyl Awareness Day, the First Lady started the day in Roanoke at a ribbon cutting for Four Truths Recovery -- a new recovery home for those striving to overcome addiction. She then joined the Governor in Richmond to welcome high school, collegiate, travel and recreational coaches and athletic trainers to discuss the impact of fentanyl in the Commonwealth. The First Lady called for a moment of silence in honor of the hundreds of thousands of lives lost to fentanyl poisoning and overdose. Further stressing risks of fentanyl and drug use, participating in REVIVE! training, and hearing from Virginia families who have been struck by loss, the Governor, First Lady and attendees committed to disseminating resources and talking to youth athletes.  Please join the team at: itonlytakesoneva.com

Pictured: First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin and Christine Wright at Four Truths Recovery in Roanoke, Virginia.

Pictured: First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin and VDH team members Roanoke, Virginia.

WATCH: Fentanyl Awareness Day - Richmond

Spirit of Virginia Award Recognizes Youth Wellbeing Nonprofit

Pictured: First Lady and Governor Youngkin with Coach Joe Gibbs and Dr. Jones.

Pictured: Fife and drums at the Burgundy and Gold banquet.

Governor and First Lady Yougkin presented a Spirit of Virginia Award to Coach Gibbs' Youth For Tomorrow (YFT) nonprofit at the annual Burgundy and Gold Banquet. Alongside past and present Washington Commander players and other dignitaries, the First Lady and Governor bestowed the honor in front of Coach Gibbs' friends, family and supporting guests. YFT offers residential, outpatient, medical and educational services to children and families in need throughout Virginia.

Pictured: First Lady and Governor Youngkin with Youth For Tomorrow board members.

W+g Wellbeing

Visiting the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System

Pictured: First Lady with Dr. Rahul Gupta at the VCU Medical Center.

Pictured: First Lady with nurses and staff at the VCU Medical Center

The First Lady joined the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Dr. Rahul Gupta, at VCU Health to learn more about emergency services as well as cutting-edge research and treatment of opioid addiction in the Commonwealth.

Making Resources Accessible to Disabled and Non-English Speaking Virginians

Pictured: The First Lady with health and human resources leadership.

In an effort to further Secretariat of Health and Human Resources' language and disability access projects, the First Lady participated in a working session to drive innovation. Multiple agencies and stakeholders across the Commonwealth, are striving to make Virginia's health services more readily available for those with disabilities and language barriers.

Ending the Scourge of Fentanyl in Virginia

Pictured: The First Lady participates in a bill signing ceremony at Abingdon High School.

Pictured: The First Lady with students at Abingdon High School.

Championing her It Only Takes One fentanyl awareness initiative, the First Lady came alongside Governor Youngkin to celebrate the signing of critical legislation strengthening Virginia's treatment and prevention efforts for substance use disorder and overdose. As fentanyl continues to ravage communities and disrupt the lives of young people, The First Lady encourages all parents, caretakers and trusted adults to have a conversation with a young person about the dangers of fentanyl. Learn more and take the pledge to 'Say it Before Summer' at itonlytakesoneva.com.