In his song “BACK HOME” David Morris sings, “Back home out in them hills, if depression don’t get you then the Fentanyl will.” Even if we’d like to do so, we can’t ignore the truth in those lyrics. All of us either know or know of someone whose life has been negatively impacted or (in some cases) ended by substance abuse. What begins with a legally prescribed medication can end up becoming dependency and addiction. That’s why we are sharing Governor Younkin’s Flag Order for August 21, 2025 with you today.

Although Governor Younkin’s Flag Order only applies to state and local public buildings, the situation at its root affects all of us in one way or another.

EDITOR’S NOTE: According to statistics compiled by the Virginia Department of Health, there were 1,403 drug overdose deaths in Virginia from June of 2024 up to the present day. In 2023, there were 2,463 deaths due to drug overdose, and 8 out of 10 of those deaths were attributed to Fentanyl, Fentanyl analogs, or Tramadol. There were also 21,881 emergency room visits due to drug overdose.

DON’T BECOME A STATISTIC – YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS LOVE YOU

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