Copyright Norfolk Virginian-Pilot
RICHMOND — Law enforcement efforts, public safety campaigns and more life-saving measures have likely helped reduce the number of fatal overdoses from fentanyl. The number of deadly fentanyl overdoses was down 44% last year, with 1,086 reported, according to the Virginia Department of Health. In 2023, there were 1,939 fatal fentanyl overdoses. Fentanyl is used legally to treat severe and chronic pain. Its popularity as a nonmedical drug has boomed with its illegal production and smuggling. The reason 8 out of 10 deadly overdoses occurred from fentanyl is its strength, according to information from the “It Only Takes One” campaign backed by first lady Suzannne Youngkin. A 2 milligram amount of powder, which could fit on a pencil tip, is enough to kill most people, according to the Drug Enforcement Agency. Virginia State Police have seized nearly 36,000 fentanyl pills this year, according to public relations coordinator Matthew Demlein. They have also seized 22,958.67 grams, 2 pounds and 3 ounces of fentanyl; or about 23 kilograms. Based on statistics from the DEA that one kilogram could kill 500,000 people, the amount seized this year alone could kill more than the entire population of Virginia. Law enforcement and prosecution Lt. Samuel Orr with Henrico County Police said the amount of fentanyl seized this year is a lot. “Any time we can investigate somebody that is actively distributing fentanyl or heroin, or any type of opiate-based narcotic, we’re going to do our utmost to really go after those folks, because that’s what’s causing too many overdoses in our communities,” Orr said. The General Assembly passed a law in 2023 that categorized even trace amounts of fentanyl as a “weapon of terrorism.” That law made distribution of fentanyl a Class 4 felony, which is a 2-10 year prison sentence. The law is relatively new in terms of its impact, according to Orr. The future will provide more opportunities to link overdose deaths with distributors. Prosecutors must present a strong case in court. Anytime there are new laws, the judicial system needs to get used to them. “With that comes defense attorneys who are, of course, very savvy and looking at ways to create reasonable doubt … to get a conviction in court,” Orr said. Many people are actively trying to seek addiction recovery to live a sober and productive life, Orr said. “The better we can do, kind of as just human beings, to be able to understand each other and give some grace, the better off we are going to be,” Orr said. Law enforcement can bust fentanyl users through intelligence gatherings and undercover work, though it does not happen often, according to Orr. Fentanyl is made in labs in other countries such as China and Mexico, according to Orr. “Obviously the cartels are involved and doing whatever, and going through great lengths to bring things into this country by whatever means they can possibly do so,” Orr said. The number of fentanyl overdose deaths in Virginia as of April was 186. That’s compared to 338 by April last year. Naloxone availability An increase in naloxone programs could be a reason why opioid deaths have decreased overall, according to Brandon Wills, a professor at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine. Naloxone is a medication that quickly reverses an overdose by blocking the effects of opioids and restoring breathing within two to three minutes, according to the Centers for Disease Control. “Emergency department naloxone programs [are] becoming increasingly more utilized, where patients presenting to the emergency department are getting naloxone to go home with, who are at risk for opioid overdose,” Wills said. The Virginia health commissioner in 2016 issued a statewide naloxone standing order that authorized pharmacists to dispense naloxone without a prescription. And General Assembly lawmakers passed bills in 2024 to require state agencies to carry naloxone, as well as public schools. Wills said he is “cautiously optimistic” about the downward trend in overdose deaths. “It’s something that we’ve been wanting to see for years now and so I hope that it continues and hope that we can find novel ways to continue to help push that number down,” Wills said. More addiction services needed Individuals that try to discontinue using opioids will experience extremely distressing withdrawal symptoms, according to Wills. “That adds an additional layer, where patients may want to discontinue use, but find it impossible due to the withdrawal,” Wills said. People can get hooked on fentanyl when they are actively using it, or if they encounter another drug contaminated with it, according to Chris Holstege, chief of the Division of Medical Toxicology at the University of Virginia. When someone is hooked on fentanyl, the most important feeling for the user is to get high and experience an “amazing feeling,” according to Holstege. “That’s why you see some of these people have their lives ruined,” Holstege said. “They spend all their money on it, get ostracized from their family, they lose their jobs.” More addiction services are needed to help control the number of fentanyl deaths, according to Holstege. Youngkin continued her “It only Takes One” fentanyl awareness and prevention initiative in October, with a discussion at UVA. The campaign, first launched in 2024, addresses the fentanyl crisis through partnerships, conversations and awareness. “Fentanyl has stolen far too many young lives, and prevention begins with awareness,” Youngkin said. “Today’s students are not only our future, they are leaders right now, capable of changing the culture on campus and saving lives through knowledge and compassion.” Capital News Service is a program of Virginia Commonwealth University’s Robertson School of Communication. Students in the program provide state government coverage for a variety of media outlets in Virginia.
