First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin Joins Prince William County Leaders to Tackle Fentanyl Crisis Through Her It Only Takes One Initiative

First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin and Dr. Alexis Aplasca with Prince William County first responders and leaders at the First Lady's It Only Takes One event in Prince William County, Va.

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA — First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin recently visited with Prince William County educators, youth program specialists, first responders, substance use service providers, Community Service Boards, and some of the state’s leading health professionals, including Dr. Alexis Aplasca, Senior Clinical Advisor of Governor Youngkin's Right Help, Right Now initiative to discuss the fentanyl crisis and share effective prevention strategies and resources to save lives. The event also included a parent of a Prince William County young adult who lost his life to fentanyl, underscoring the real impact of this crisis on families.

The event was the latest stop in the First Lady's It Only Takes One initiative, which promotes open discussion about fentanyl to reduce stigma and empower communities - one conversation at a time. The First Lady has been traveling across the Commonwealth, targeting the hardest-hit areas to raise awareness on fentanyl and its dangers.

"Just one conversation can save a life," said First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin. "We’re seeing progress—Virginia’s fentanyl deaths are starting to decline—but the crisis is far from over. Fentanyl is still the leading cause of overdose deaths. That’s why prevention is more critical than ever."

Even nationally, Virginia ranks second in states seeing the largest percentage of decreases in fatal overdoses, with a 35.1% decrease in fatal overdoses statewide. In Virginia localities, we have seen a similar descending trend line. However, Prince William County is the only large-population locality in Virginia which appears to be trending upward in fatal drug overdoses, with estimated year-over-year increases of 6% to 12%, depending on drug class. Most other parts of the Commonwealth, including neighboring counties (Fairfax, Loudoun, Fauquier, Stafford), are showing downward trends in fatal overdoses during the same time period, many from 20-40%. This makes the visit today even more important and impactful.

“The reality is that fentanyl is being disguised in everyday pills,” said Delaine Mazich, of Great Falls, who lost her son Greyson to fentanyl poisoning in 2020. “If Grey’s story can prevent just one family from suffering this unimaginable loss, then his life will continue to make an impact."

"We cannot address the fentanyl crisis without also addressing youth mental health," said Dr. Alexis Aplasca, Senior Clinical Advisor, Behavioral Health Transformation, Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Resources. "Many young people struggling with stress, anxiety, or depression turn to substances without realizing the danger they face. Prevention efforts like It Only Takes One are critical—not just to educate, but to open the door for real conversations about youth mental health, substance use, and the support systems available to help.”

"Bringing our community together to fight the fentanyl crisis is not just important—it’s essential," said Heather Martinsen, Wellness & Prevention Manager, Prince William County Community Services. "Too many families have already been impacted, and too many lives have been lost. This is a fight we must take on together, and Prince William County Community Services is fully committed to the cause."

While Prince William County’s numbers indicate a continued struggle with fentanyl-related fatalities, the First Lady left feeling inspired by the conversation shared knowing those in attendance, mostly frontline workers, are committed to keeping youth safe.

For more information about the First Lady's It Only Takes One initiative, please visit ItOnlyTakesOne.Virginia.Gov.

For available resources or to register for a naloxone administration training session, visit the Virginia Department of Health's website at https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/naloxone/.

If you or someone you know has lost a family member to fentanyl and are interested in lending a voice to the Administration’s Fentanyl Family Ambassador program, please email ItOnlyTakesOne@Governor.Virginia.Gov.

First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin and Delaine Mazich at the First Lady's It Only Takes One event in Prince William County, Va.

First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin talking with first responders at her It Only Takes One event in Prince William County, Va.

First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin and Dr. Alexis Aplasca with Prince William County first responders and leaders at the First Lady's It Only Takes One event in Prince William County, Va.

First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin and Dr. Alexis Aplasca listening to Prince William County leaders during the First Lady's It Only Takes One event in Prince William County, Va.

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