Governor Youngkin announces major drop in fentanyl related deaths thanks to statewide response

Richmond, Virginia – Governor Glenn Youngkin, First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin, and key state and federal partners gathered at the Patrick Henry Building to announce a remarkable achievement—fentanyl-involved overdose deaths in Virginia have dropped by nearly 59 percent compared to January 2022.

A Statewide Strategy to Save Lives

“With an average of five Virginians dying each day in 2022, we launched a comprehensive effort to stop the scourge of fentanyl. Today, Virginia leads the nation and has cut fentanyl overdose deaths by more than half,” said Governor Youngkin. He credited the turnaround to a broad set of initiatives, including:

• Operation FREE, a statewide law enforcement effort that seized over 858 pounds of fentanyl, enough to produce more than 115 million pills with an estimated street value nearing $4 billion.

• Legislation that includes felony charges for fentanyl-related deaths, bans on pill presses, and mandatory reporting of school-connected overdoses.

• Public awareness campaigns like the First Lady’s “It Only Takes One” and Attorney General Jason Miyares’ “One Pill, Can Kill”, which reached millions across the Commonwealth.

• The mass distribution of naloxone through the REVIVE! training initiative, equipping Virginians with tools to reverse overdoses and save lives on the spot.

“Over the past four years, we have prioritized interruption of the drug trade… and equipped Virginians to save someone’s life with the mass distribution of naloxone. All of this is supported by our Right Help, Right Now behavioral health transformation — delivering crisis care to vulnerable Virginians,” Governor Youngkin said.

Unified Action Across Agencies and Communities

First Lady Suzanne Youngkin highlighted the human impact behind the statistics. “It Only Takes One is an awareness campaign built on the idea that one mistake can take a life, but one caring conversation can save a life. We are forever grateful to those having life-saving conversations and doing the hard work of prevention.”

Attorney General Jason Miyares added that the fight is far from over. “More Virginians are alive today because of Governor Youngkin’s leadership and our Commonwealth’s multifaceted approach… Now is the time to double down on our commitment to fighting addiction and supporting every Virginian on the path to recovery.”

Key federal voices echoed the sentiment. DEA Administrator Terry Cole praised Virginia’s example: “Virginia’s success proves that when law enforcement, prevention, and public health efforts move with one purpose, lives are saved.”

By the Numbers: A Comprehensive and Measured Approach

• 2,971 arrests through Operation FREE

• 56,735 pounds of illicit narcotics recovered

• 35,619 pounds of prescription drugs taken back

• 430,000 doses of naloxone distributed

• 97,000+ Virginians trained to administer naloxone

• 163 Fentanyl Family Ambassadors and 34 College Ambassadors

• Over 250,000 visits to the “It Only Takes One” website in 2025

• More than 50 million media impressions from awareness campaigns

Secretary of Public Safety Marcus Anderson called the drop in deaths “the direct outcome of disciplined enforcement, strategic interdiction, and relentless coordination.”

Secretary of Health Janet Kelly added, “Behind every number is a life saved and a family spared unimaginable loss… This unified effort has turned the tide of fentanyl in our Commonwealth — and restored hope to countless Virginians.”

As Virginia continues to confront the fentanyl crisis, this milestone stands as a reminder that focused action, collaboration, and compassion can save lives — and that the fight against overdose deaths is one the Commonwealth is determined to win.