Virginia First Lady Suzanne Youngkin, accompanied by Attorney General Jason Miyares, hosts “One Pill Can Kill” forum in Loudoun County, urging parents to talk to their children about the deadly risks of illicit drugs.
The deadly danger of fentanyl took center stage Wednesday night in Loudoun County as Virginia First Lady Suzanne Youngkin headlined a forum aimed at raising awareness about the illegal substance and the risks of overdose.
Concerned parents sat in the sanctuary of Community Church in Ashburn to listen to experts describe the scope of the problem and what they can do to keep their children safe.
“Right now, we are going through the greatest drug threat this country has ever faced. Fentanyl is the biggest threat to Americans. Two hundred people die every day from fentanyl poisoning. “These are not overdoses, they are poisonings,” said DEA Special Agent Shane Todd.
From left, mother Jennifer Breaux, first lady Suzanne Youngkin, Attorney General Jason Miyares, Sheriff Mike Chapman and DEA Agent Shane Todd at a “One Pill Can Kill” forum Tuesday night. (WIPO/Dick Uliano)
Youngkin, accompanied by Attorney General Jason Miyares, has been holding “One Pill Can Kill” forums across the state, urging parents to talk to their children about the deadly risks of illicit drugs.
“I, as a mother of four, (am) particularly concerned about the more than 200 young Virginians who lost their lives to fentanyl last year… So this is a difficult topic and can be persistently sad,” Youngkin said.
Fulfilling the sad quotient, a Loudoun County mother described the tragedy of her son’s death from fentanyl poisoning in February 2021, following a skateboard accident that left him addicted to painkillers.
“The sources of illicit drugs finally found it and they are in every community, so we don’t think it’s not like that. On our beautiful streets and beautiful homes in Loudoun County, they are everywhere,” said Jennifer Breaux, mother of Branson Gray Everette, who died at age 25.
Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman added that more than 100,000 Americans have died each year over the past three years from drug overdoses and 70% of the deaths are a result of fentanyl.
So what should parents do?
“You have to talk to your family, talk to your kids, talk to your neighbors, talk to your relatives, talk to your co-workers,” DEA Agent Todd said of spreading the word about the dangers of fentanyl.
The forum also offered audience members training on the use of naloxone, sold under the brand name Narcan. Nasal spray has saved countless lives by reversing the effects of opioid overdose.
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
2024 WTOP. Copyright © 2024 Keynote USA All rights reserved.. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.
Keynote USA
For the Latest Local News, Follow Keynote USA Local on Twitter.