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Karleen Wolanin
Founder of Virginia Fentanyl and Substance Awareness (VFSA)

Karleen Wolanin, founder of Virginia Fentanyl and Substance Awareness (VFSA), established the organization to support parents, especially mothers, dealing with their children’s substance use, mental health struggles, or fentanyl exposure, drawing from her personal experience to offer community and solace while fighting stigma and advocating for future generations.


What inspired you to create Virginia Fentanyl and Substance Awareness (VFSA) after your experience with your daughter's struggles?

My Journey to Founding Virginia Fentanyl and Substance Awareness (VFSA) For over ten years, I found myself navigating the harrowing world of mental health and substance use disorder as a mother. It was an incredibly isolating experience. I felt alone, judged, and scared to share what I was going through. The stigma surrounding these issues kept me silent, afraid that others wouldn't understand or, worse, would blame me for my child's struggles. But everything changed this past Christmas when I almost lost my daughter to fentanyl. It was in those moments of unimaginable fear and heartache that I knew I couldn't stay silent any longer. I realized that if I was feeling this alone, there had to be other mothers out there going through the same thing. Slowly, I began to open up, talking to other moms who were also navigating the turbulent waters of having a child with substance use disorder or moms who lost kids to fentanyl. What I discovered was both heartbreaking and empowering: I wasn’t the only mom going through this. There were so many others who felt just as isolated and scared.

How does VFSA work to break the stigma surrounding substance use disorder and mental health issues?

At VFSA, we are committed to breaking the stigma surrounding substance use disorder and mental health issues. We work tirelessly to create a safe environment where people feel loved, supported, and, most importantly, not alone. We understand that judgment and fear can prevent people from seeking help, so we approach everything we do with compassion and open arms. Our goal is to let everyone know that they have a community behind them, ready to support them through their darkest times.

What impact have you seen from these efforts within the community?

The impact of these efforts within the community has been profound. We've seen people come together in ways I never could have imagined. It’s been heartening to witness how many individuals are now willing to join forces with us, realizing that they aren’t alone in their struggles. By sharing our stories and standing together, we are creating a powerful sense of unity. This collective strength is helping to break down the barriers that have kept so many of us silent for so long.

What resources would you recommend to Virginia’s Women+girls who are struggling with substance use disorder or know someone who might need help?

I encourage you to reach out for support. There are people who care and are willing to help you! There are so many resources available—local recovery centers, mental health services, SAARA warmline, hotlines like SAMHSA’s National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP) that offer immediate assistance, your community service boards, your local churches, IOP classes for intensive outpatient help, 988 Suicide and Crisis Support Line, VFSA is here to provide a safe and non-judgmental space where you can share your experiences and find the support you need. Additionally, organizations like Nar-Anon or Al-Anon offer support specifically for families and friends affected by substance use. Engaging with these resources can provide the necessary tools, support, and hope for recovery. Together, we can break the silence, shatter the stigma, and build a community where everyone feels safe, supported, and empowered to seek the help they need.

About Karleen Wolanin

Karleen Wolanin is the founder of Virginia Fentanyl and Substance Awareness (VFSA), an organization that unites the community and provides support to parents, particularly mothers, who have faced the challenges of a child's substance use, mental health disorders, or fentanyl exposure.

Her mission is deeply personal, born out of her own experience as a mother navigating her daughter's struggles with these issues for nearly a decade. After nearly losing her daughter to a fentanyl overdose on Christmas night, Karleen realized the importance of creating this nonprofit where no parent feels alone. VFSA also supports mothers who have tragically lost a child due to fentanyl poisoning, offering them a space to share their stories and find solace in a community that understands their pain.

VFSA is dedicated to breaking the stigma associated with substance use disorder and mental health issues. Through collaboration and awareness, the organization works to protect future generations and ensure that no family has to face these challenges without support.

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