Virginia reports encouraging data as fentanyl related deaths drop to lowest levels in years
Richmond, Virginia – Virginia has reached a hopeful turning point in its battle against the deadly opioid crisis, particularly fentanyl, according to new data revealed by Governor Glenn Youngkin on National Fentanyl Awareness Day. The governor shared that the latest report from the Virginia Department of Health Office of the Chief Medical Examiner shows a dramatic 44 percent year-over-year decrease in fentanyl-related overdose deaths, while the total decline from the drug’s deadly peak in 2021 now exceeds 46 percent.
The announcement comes with added significance, as new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) figures rank Virginia first in the nation for the largest year-over-year percentage decrease in drug overdose deaths between November 2023 and November 2024. Speaking at the Drug Enforcement Administration Headquarters in Arlington, Youngkin stressed the significance of this achievement, especially as states across the country continue to struggle with the impact of fentanyl.
“Overdose deaths skyrocketed across America and in Virginia, driven primarily by illicit fentanyl flowing across our southern border,” said Governor Youngkin. “With an average of five dying Virginians each day, in 2022 we launched a comprehensive effort to stop the scourge of fentanyl, it’s working, and Virginia is leading.”
A Four-Pronged Strategy Against the Crisis
Youngkin credited Virginia’s success to a carefully coordinated plan built on four key principles: interrupting the drug trade, enhancing penalties for drug dealers, educating the public, and equipping Virginians to save lives.
The state’s aggressive anti-fentanyl operation, Operation FREE, has been essential to interrupting the supply chain. The partnership between federal, state, and local agencies has already seized 794.51 pounds of fentanyl, enough to produce over 112 million pills. Authorities have also made 2,579 arrests and removed over 55,000 pounds of illicit narcotics and 35,269 pounds of prescription medication from circulation.
In addition to enforcement, Virginia has adopted tougher penalties against dealers. New legislation bans pill presses, mandates schools to notify parents when student overdoses occur, and creates felony charges for dealers whose drugs result in death. Moreover, fentanyl is now legally defined in Virginia as a “weapon of terrorism,” strengthening prosecutorial tools.
Raising Awareness and Saving Lives
Education remains another major pillar of Virginia’s strategy. First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin leads It Only Takes One, a powerful statewide awareness campaign warning about the risks of fentanyl. “The It Only Takes One fentanyl awareness initiative has a simple message — it only takes one mistake to take a life; but one conversation or intervention to save a life,” she said. The initiative relies on personal stories from Fentanyl Family Ambassadors and those in recovery and hosts community events in localities most affected by overdoses.
Attorney General Jason Miyares praised these efforts and emphasized the importance of community awareness. “Virginia’s historic drop in overdose deaths did not happen by chance,” Miyares said. “Our One Pill Can Kill initiative working alongside Ceasefire Virginia has done amazing work to inform parents about the depth of the crisis and the absolute need for vigilance.”
Equipping Virginians to Save Lives
Virginia also focuses on equipping the public with the tools to save lives. Through the Right Help, Right Now initiative and REVIVE! training, more than 388,584 doses of naloxone have been distributed since 2022. Additionally, nearly 97,000 Virginians have been trained on how to use naloxone, with over 41,000 doses given directly to those trained.
This comprehensive approach has been praised across state leadership. Terry Cole, Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security, highlighted partnerships with over 175 law enforcement departments who are actively sharing information and working together to combat fentanyl. “Partnership matters. Leadership matters. Thank you, Governor Youngkin, for your leadership,” Cole said.
Similarly, Secretary of Health and Human Resources Janet V. Kelly credited multiple initiatives for helping turn the tide. She also underscored the impact of social media on the crisis, a topic addressed by the Reclaiming Childhood Task Force.
A Collective Effort with National Impact
State Health Commissioner Karen Shelton, M.D., expressed optimism about the progress, stating, “Every life saved is a victory. These numbers reflect ongoing efforts by state agencies, community organizations and partners to address this deadly epidemic.”
Finally, Dr. Colin Greene, Special Advisor on Opioid Response, reflected on the magnitude of the challenge. “This is extraordinarily gratifying progress while fighting an enemy that has killed more Virginians than died in World War II,” Greene said. “We have turned the tide in this battle and must now redouble our efforts to build on our success.”
Virginia’s unified, aggressive approach — blending enforcement, prevention, education, and treatment — now serves as a national model. The state’s leaders vowed to continue pushing forward until fentanyl no longer threatens families and communities.
The complete report from the Virginia Department of Health Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is available for review for those seeking further information.
