I am a Virginia resident and college student. I am submitting this comment express my support for repeals of the Virginia Board of Education’s Rules Governing Instructions Concerning Drugs and Substance Abuse [8VAC20-310] and the adoption of final amendments to Regulations Governing Local School Boards and School Divisions [8VAC20-720].

I am compelled to write in support of these statutory adjustments because of the national crisis that is the rise in addiction and overdose among Americans. The Commonwealth is not immune to this tragedy, with prevalence in substance abuse disorder doubling in one year and the number of overdoses increasing drastically, most notably from fentanyl. Given the harsh reality presented in these numbers, it’s reassuring that the Commonwealth is taking some form of action by adopting new statutory language regarding educational efforts to combat substance abuse.

Given that these laws haven’t been updated since their inception in the 1980’s, revision is necessary to address the problem in a more time-relevant manner. The proposed language shows the Commonwealth’s commitment to renewing these efforts to make them better fit the modern-day reality of the drug abuse crisis.