Longwood senior brings fentanyl awareness event to campus

Realizing that it can happen to anyone and fentanyl can be in anything-sharing those stories and facts with someone can literally save a life.

"You hear the same story, that the person who died from fentanyl wasn't an avid drug-user. It was a one-time thing, and that was the end of their life," Blount said. "Realizing that it can happen to anyone and fentanyl can be in anything-sharing those stories and facts with someone can literally save a life."

The event included a panel discussion featuring Blount, Suzanne Youngkin, Longwood Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life Julie Ramsey '93 and Jennifer Johnson, the mother of a college student who unknowingly ingested a pill laced with fentanyl and passed away later that evening. The group shared personal stories about friends and family who have been impacted by fentanyl deaths, and the importance of becoming trained in life-saving treatments like Narcan.

At the conclusion of the event, volunteers from Prince Edward's Crossroads Community Services Board offered attendees on-site training for treatment of opioid overdoses.

I'm so grateful to go to a school where I'm supported like this. We've been working on this since July, and this event would have never reached this level of impact without the collaboration and support we received.

"I'm so grateful to go to a school where I'm supported like this," Blount said. "We've been working on this since July, and this event would have never reached this level of impact without the collaboration and support we received."

Launched in 2024, "It Only Takes One" is a statewide initiative that conducts awareness and training events throughout Virginia, all aimed at curbing fentanyl and opioid-related deaths. Longwood joins several college campuses around Virginia in hosting an event this fall, including James Madison University, Liberty University and University of Virginia, among others.

Blount's involvement as a Fentanyl College Ambassador began during her fellowship in the governor's communications office this past summer. In that role, she worked with senior staff to shape and communicate the office's general public messaging, from press releases and media events to social and digital media.

Praising Blount for her work during that fellowship and with the It Only Takes One initiative, Virginia's first lady praised her initiative and being among the first of the Governor's Fellows to step forward and say, 'I'm in.'

Taylor jumped in feet first. She's become an advocate. She has a passion for others, and she's not shying away from talking about the tough stuff.

"Taylor jumped in feet first. She's become an advocate. She has a passion for others, and she's not shying away from talking about the tough stuff," Youngkin said. "And this is tough stuff, but it's relevant and it's real. She sets a wonderful example for others by being caring and compassionate, but at the same time she's really pushed people to get out of their comfort zone and get involved."