At a Glance
- Virginia leads U.S. in reducing overdose deaths
- “It Only Takes One” campaign targets fentanyl awareness
- New laws increase penalties and restrict pill presses
- Smartwatches and vending machines offer life-saving tech
- Families of victims become national advocates
A State Fights Back Against the Crisis
In Virginia, the fentanyl crisis is more than a statistic—it’s a daily, devastating reality. The death of 23-year-old Zachary Muth in 2021 brought this epidemic to his family’s doorstep, igniting a public reckoning. Virginia, now among the national leaders in overdose death reduction, is fighting back with urgency and innovation.
At the forefront is Governor Glenn Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne Youngkin’s “It Only Takes One” campaign, which spotlights the fact that even a milligram of fentanyl can kill. The campaign focuses on education, rapid access to naloxone, and new laws that criminalize drug distribution resulting in death. “We passed new laws banning pill presses, notifying parents of overdose in their child’s school,” said First Lady Youngkin, “and finally establishing a new felony to hold accountable drug dealers whose victims die.”
Virginia’s multi-pronged strategy includes Operation FREE, a law enforcement initiative aimed at intercepting illicit drug flows. By labeling opioids a “weapon of terrorism,” the state has enhanced its ability to pursue and prosecute drug crimes with sweeping legislative tools.
Grieving Families Lead Innovation
For families torn apart by fentanyl, advocacy is a way to turn anguish into purpose. Steve Muth, Zachary’s father, co-founded ZEM Life—an ambitious startup developing a smartwatch that can detect overdoses and automatically administer Narcan. His mission: ensure no other family endures what his has.
Meanwhile, in Oklahoma, Mark Russell continues his long legal battle for justice after losing his son Graham to fentanyl during his junior year in college. “I’m still in shock today, and it’s been four and a half years,” he told reporters. Despite his grief, Russell has become a fierce advocate, urging families to stay vigilant and demand accountability from both government and drug distributors.
Expanding Access to Lifesaving Tools
Practical measures are following close behind policy and personal advocacy. Several states, including Virginia, are deploying vending machines that distribute free Narcan and fentanyl testing strips. The goal is straightforward: make lifesaving interventions as easy to access as the drugs that are killing people.
California is among those pushing the affordability envelope. Governor Gavin Newsom recently expanded the CalRx initiative to include opioid-reversal drugs like naloxone. “Life-saving medications shouldn’t come with a life-altering price tag,” he said. “CalRx is about making essential drugs like naloxone affordable and accessible for all—not the privileged few.”
Toward a National Recovery
From classrooms to courtrooms, and across community coalitions, the fight against fentanyl has taken on a new intensity. The scale of the epidemic is massive—but so is the determination of those fighting it. Virginia’s model combines strong enforcement, open education, and a compassionate embrace of families directly affected by the crisis.
With bold campaigns, legal reforms, and emerging technology, the state is working not just to reverse overdose trends—but to reclaim futures lost to a drug that doesn’t discriminate. As more states adopt similar approaches, a national path toward recovery may finally be within reach.
