CHESTER, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Virginia First Lady Suzanne Youngkin is celebrating successes in Chesterfield County, just outside of Richmond, for their above-state average percentage fentanyl deaths. Her “It Only Takes One” initiative is a statewide effort in education and other preventative measures in which localities have freedom to try initiatives and programs, and share what has worked for them and what hasn’t. Since 2023, fentanyl overdose deaths in Chesterfield County area down 49.3%, while the statewide percentage of death is down 44% year-over-year and 46% from the 2021 peak.

A Governor’s Office release says Chesterfield County is using a multi-pronged approach including: 

  • Free distribution of naloxone and test strips at libraries, jails, and through mobile outreach
  • A peer-led, trauma-informed recovery program (HARP) within the county jail
  • Prevention education initiatives in schools such as the Stay SAFE toolkit and student PSA competitions
  • Biannual medication take-back events and same-day recovery access through Fire/EMS partnerships

The It Only Takes One initiative, in partnership with the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth and the Virginia Department of Health, continues to deliver educational resources, community trainings, and awareness campaigns across the Commonwealth. These efforts include the launch of the It Only Takes One newsletter, statewide resource distribution to media outlets and healthcare providers, outreach to Community Services Boards and higher education institutions, the creation of a robust online resource hub, support for Operation FREE (Fentanyl Awareness, Reduction, Enforcement, and Eradication) – law enforcement efforts to disrupt the distribution of, and confiscate, illicit drugs, the Fentanyl Family Ambassadors program, which now includes more than 100 ambassadors, and the It Only Takes One Public Service Announcement (PSA) that was released on April 29th in observance of National Fentanyl Awareness Day.