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. 

It’s hypocritical that the several people on the left approve of marijuana use, but at the same time the same people preach about clean energy, water, and air. Marijuana use stinks! Last week, I passed a man who reeked of marijuana in the parking lot at Publix. I had a nauseous feeling. Now imagine inhaling marijuana on every single person and place we go. It is the same thing with second hand cigarette smoke too. It’s disgusting! There are short and long term damaging consequences of being around these chemicals. The scientific evidence is there for years and now, but many people choose to ignore it and they don’t care. They are greedy and just care about the monetary benefits and being a zombie. We all know how the story ends if Virginia keeps pushing drugs on our society. Another low standard of the democrat party. Schools will have to suffer from the with students smelling like marijuana because it is at home.