This Week In The Commonwealth

This week, on National Fentanyl Awareness Day, Governor Youngkin and First Lady Youngkin continued to lead the effort against the fentanyl crisis in Virginia by hosting several events that addressed prevention, rehabilitation and the risk fentanyl poses to our youth and the resources that can be used to combat its dangers. Fentanyl poisoning is an epidemic that is devastating communities and families across Virginia and the nation. It’s up to all of us to help put an end to it.

Governor Youngkin has signed executive orders and signed into law critical legislation to combat fentanyl in Virginia. First Lady Suzanne Youngkin has launched a comprehensive initiative, It Only Takes One, to educate Virginians on the dangers of fentanyl and outline steps to prevent overdoses.

The Governor and the First Lady encourage parents to have a conversation with their kids about the dangers of fentanyl before the summer begins. Parents can sign the pledge on the It Only Takes One website here.

Following Fentanyl Awareness Day, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced the results of Operation Free Virginia, a 30-day statewide fentanyl operation coordinated through 114 state, federal, county, and municipal agencies to protect the Commonwealth and combat the fentanyl crisis. Operation Free Virginia seized over 17,000 pounds of illicit drugs and 18,000 pounds of prescription medications during the 30-day operation.

This week,  Governor Youngkin and First Lady Youngkin celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week with the eight regional teachers of the year who represent the best of Virginia. They announced Avanti Yamamoto as the 2024 Virginia Teacher of the Year. Thank you to all the teachers across the Commonwealth for your commitment to helping our students succeed.

First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin dedicated much of last week to supporting efforts around Virginia that are addressing the fentanyl crisis.  As part of National Fentanyl Awareness Day on Tuesday, the First Lady traveled to Roanoke to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony of “Four Truths Recovery.”  The nonprofit is a first-of-its-kind structured recovery housing in Roanoke for persons overcoming substance abuse.  The housing provides comprehensive support for eight residents at a time while also providing links to employment, transportation, healthcare, mutual support meetings and more.  The new recovery housing is another important resource that Mrs. Youngkin will continue to highlight through her fentanyl awareness campaign that was launched in Roanoke back in January.  The First Lady also joined Governor Youngkin at City Stadium in Richmond to talk with coaches about the integral role they can play in protecting and educating youth and teenagers on the dangers of fentanyl.

Yom HaShoah came to an end this week and Governor Youngkin honored and remembered the six million Jewish lives lost during the Holocaust. He saw firsthand the evils perpetrated on a visit to Dachau last week. The world must never forget what happened there and must continue to combat antisemitism everywhere.

In her “Twelve Views of Virginia Series” Miwako Nishizawa captures some of our Commonwealth’s most renowned landmarks and regions through techniques that are reflective of her #homehistory. Originally from Kyoto, Japan, Nishizawa received a commission from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in 2014 to create a series of Japanese woodblock prints of Virginia landscapes, three of which are currently on display at the Executive Mansion through the Art Experience. From historic Jamestown to Skyline Drive, Nishizawa’s “Twelve Views of Virginia” are deeply reflective of the Commonwealth’s diverse geographies, people and perspectives. Join us this AAPI Heritage Month as we celebrate the creativity and contributions of Virginia’s Asian American and Pacific Islander communities!