We’re the First Ladies of Virginia & New Jersey—Fentanyl Is Taking Our Kids

Every generation has its drug prevention slogan. But with the rise of deadly fentanyl, it’s time for some new words of caution:
It only takes one.
It only takes one fake pill laced with synthetic fentanyl to kill. And fake pills are widely trafficked—even masquerading as safe prescription drugs.
It’s a new era in the fentanyl crisis, and young people are especially vulnerable. Overdose deaths among adolescents 10-19 years old more than doubled between 2019 and 2021. Seven out of every 10 fentanyl pills seized by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) contains a lethal dose.
With this increasingly widespread threat, it is time for parents to incorporate a new message in their back-to-school conversation with children of all ages: It only takes one.
Fentanyl is not your parents’ street drug. Dangerous pills are identical in size, color and markings to prescription medications, making it impossible to gauge safety just by looking. Young people are dying of fentanyl overdose who think they are taking Xanax to help them sleep, Adderall to study, or Percocet for pain relief after an injury.
It’s killing kids who borrowed a pill from a friend or bought one online. Fentanyl can be found in recreational drugs commonly ingested by teens, including joints and vapes.
As the first ladies of Virginia and New Jersey, we have seen fentanyl’s deadly impact in communities in every part of our states, and we can confirm that no area, no family, is immune.
New Jersey resident Max Lenowitz died on his 25th birthday after taking one pill he thought was Xanex. “My family didn’t know much about fentanyl, nor did we know counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl were so easily acquired and shared among their peers,” said his mother Patrice. “One pill killed our son.”
Organizations like Song for Charlie have pointers that parents can use to start “The New Drug Talk” with children of any age. In addition to stressing that young people should never take a pill they receive from a friend or purchase on social media, it’s also important they learn how to recognize and respond if a friend is experiencing an overdose. Overdose-reversal medication naloxone, commercially known as Narcan, is now available in every state without a prescription.
Naloxone saves lives. Earlier this year, we joined first spouses from across the nation in a training session to learn how to administer naloxone, and we are coordinating with parents and teachers to hold trainings in our states as the school year gets underway. Check your governor’s or state health department’s website to find resources in your state, or check out state-based organizations like Virginia Fentanyl and Substance Awareness. Its founder, Karleen Wolanin, is one of thousands of parents using their own hard-earned experience to help others.
“After nearly losing my child to fentanyl and enduring over a decade of struggle, I’ve learned the vital importance of uniting our communities,” said Wolanin. “By channeling our pain into action and raising our collective voice, we can expose the true dangers of fentanyl and ensure that no one fights this battle alone.”
Just as it only take one mistake to take a life, it only takes one person, one conversation, to save one.
Parents, grandparents, teachers, coaches and mentors: As we head into a new school year, please take five minutes to have a candid conversation with the young people in your life.
Make sure they understand: It only takes one.
Suzanne Youngkin is the first lady of Virginia. Tammy Murphy is the first lady of New Jersey.
New Jersey and Virginia are among several states taking action to raise awareness and connect more individuals with treatment options. Governor Phil Murphy declared July 14 as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Day to honor Max Lenowitz’ memory. In 2023, Governor Glenn Youngkin signed an executive order mandating state agencies take unprecedented and coordinated strides to combat fentanyl.