First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin Expands Statewide Fentanyl Awareness Initiative It Only Takes One to Liberty University

Pictured: First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin with Liberty University President Dondi Costin and panelist from the It Only Takes One Event at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va.

LYNCHBURG, VA – First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin continued her It Only Takes One statewide fentanyl awareness and prevention initiative last week at Liberty University, where she expanded the Fentanyl College Ambassador Program and joined students for a conversation about the dangers of fentanyl and the importance of peer-led prevention.

Hosted at the Rawlings School of Divinity, the event gathered students, faculty, and faith leaders from across the university for an open discussion on substance misuse, community response, and the power of awareness to save lives. The event marked the official expansion of the Fentanyl College Ambassador Program to Liberty University—empowering students to take leadership roles in education, prevention, and advocacy.

Following the discussion, students were encouraged to participate in a REVIVE! training led by Virginia Department of Health educators Cali Anderson, a Liberty University alumna and Senior Epidemiologist for the Central Virginia Health District, and Carl Mack, Senior Health Educator for VDH. REVIVE! equips participants with the knowledge to recognize an opioid overdose and administer naloxone, the life-saving medication that can reverse its effects.

“Faith communities and campuses like Liberty are uniquely positioned to lead this fight,” said First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin. “Fentanyl has claimed far too many young lives, and awareness is our first line of defense. Today’s students are compassionate, capable, and ready to be Good Samaritans—equipped to recognize the signs of crisis and respond when it matters most.”

The event featured remarks from Liberty University President Dondi Costin, joined by his wife Vickey Costin, who welcomed the First Lady and underscored the university’s shared commitment to student wellness and faith-based leadership.

During her remarks, the First Lady recognized Sarah Link, a Fentanyl Family Ambassador who honors the memory of her sister Vanessa through awareness efforts like the Fentanyl Faces billboard campaign, and Taylor Blount, a Fentanyl College Ambassador from Longwood University who has spoken to more than 1,000 students about the dangers of fentanyl.

Students also heard from Essence Lewis, Senior Associate Director of Programming in Liberty’s Office of Community Life, who shared the university’s substance abuse awareness efforts and educational programs designed to promote healthy choices and peer support.

Following the moderated discussion, attendees were encouraged to sign the It Only Takes One pledge, stay for REVIVE! training, and scan a QR code to become a Fentanyl College Ambassador—joining a growing statewide network of student leaders advancing prevention and awareness.

Current Trend

According to the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, Virginia continues to see significant progress in reducing fentanyl-related fatalities.

• Fatal fentanyl overdoses have decreased over 50% in the past year and nearly 60% since 2022, reaching their lowest levels since 2018.
• In the Lynchburg region, fentanyl-related deaths fell from 19 in 2023 to 8 in 2025—a 58% decline and evidence that community-based prevention efforts are saving lives.

The It Only Takes One initiative, in partnership with the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth, the Virginia Department of Health, and the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, continues to expand educational resources, community trainings, and awareness campaigns across the Commonwealth.

These include the Fentanyl College Ambassador and Fentanyl Family Ambassador programs, now active at universities and communities statewide.

Additionally, the Youngkin Administration has committed $1.5 billion in total funding through its Right Help, Right Now initiative to strengthen Virginia’s behavioral health system—expanding crisis response teams, 988 call centers, and stabilization units across the Commonwealth.

For more information or to get involved, visit:
www.ItOnlyTakesOne.Virginia.gov

 

Pictured: First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin with Liberty University President Dondi Costin and his wife Vickey Costin at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va.	Pictured: First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin during her It Only Takes One Event at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va.

  

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