
Contacts: Office of the Governor: Christian Martinez, Christian.Martinez@governor.virginia.gov | Office of the First Lady: Lori Massengill, lori.massengill@governor.virginia.gov
First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin and Secretary of Health and Human Resources Join Roanoke City Public Schools as Part of Fentanyl Awareness Campaign
~ The parent education forum will educate parents and guardians on the threat of fentanyl ~ROANOKE, VA - First Lady of Virginia Suzanne S. Youngkin and Secretary of Health and Human Resources John Littel will today join Roanoke City Public Schools (RCPS) Superintendent Dr. Verletta White for a Parent Education Forum at the Charles W. Day Technical Center to address the threat fentanyl poses to students and families. The event follows the launch of the First Lady’s ‘It Only Takes One’ fentanyl awareness campaign.
Three in four overdose deaths in Roanoke are due to fentanyl and studies show that youth are especially susceptible to the synthetic opioid. The event is being held to educate parents and guardians, including members of the RCPS Parent Teacher Association (PTA), athletic coaches and directors, and other community members about the best language to use when discussing the danger of fentanyl with their children and where to go for help. After last week’s social media threats against Roanoke City Public Schools, the event’s timing is even more poignant underscores that today’s youth face a host of threats.
“Virginia lost more than 200 youth to fentanyl poisoning just last year and we must cleave together to support our most vulnerable and to equip every family with the information necessary for safety,” said First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin. “Our goal is to save lives by shining light on the invisible danger of this deadly poison. It only takes one pill to take a life – and it only takes one conversation to save a life.”
Parents and guardians play a vital role in protecting youth from the deadly danger of fentanyl. Increasingly, teens are being offered or are purchasing marijuana or counterfeit pills that they don’t realize are laced with the deadly opioid. Adults must be aware of the risks and then be bold to discuss the threat of fentanyl with young people to stop the epidemic of opioid dependence and fentanyl poisoning.
“The first step in protecting our students from an overdose is educating them about the life-threatening risks associated with Fentanyl,” said Dr. Verletta White. “With education being the first line of defense, we’re making it a priority to not only inform our students on the dangers associated with this drug, but we are also working with our parents, families, and coaches on the most effective ways to talk with students about these dangers so they, too, are informed and aware of the risks.”
“Growing up in Roanoke City Public Schools, the prevalent topics of discussion were abstinence and marijuana. There is now a much larger crisis, fentanyl, and it requires parents to take the initiative and educate themselves about its dangers,” said Destinnee Vance, a Roanoke mother, peer recovery specialist for the Partnership of Community Wellness and RAYSAC Board Member. “It is crucial to have open and uncomfortable conversations with children about this issue. The key is to get involved, stay informed, and ask questions.”
For more information and additional resources, visit ItOnlyTakesOneVA.com.
Interested parties are encouraged to follow the campaign, here:
Facebook: facebook.com/ItOnlyTakesOneVA
Twitter/X: @OnlyTakesOneVA
Instagram: @ItOnlyTakesOneVA
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx98_A2XjSbofCu0rOz7fVg
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