As officials look to combat the flow of fentanyl coming through the United States’ southern border, parents who have experienced the drug’s deadly consequences are warning others of the risks after losing their own children to opioid overdoses. 

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and first lady Suzanne Youngkin have launched a litany of campaigns looking to curb the flow of fentanyl into the state, and data shows their efforts are working. Virginia is leading the nation in year-over-year percentage declines in drug overdose deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“Governor Youngkin and his administration’s approach to stopping the scourge of fentanyl stands on four principles: interrupt the drug trade, enhance penalties for drug dealers, educate people about the dangers of fentanyl, and equip them to save the life of someone in crisis,” Peter Finocchio, a spokesperson for the governor’s office, said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “Everyone must know the danger posed by fentanyl: it only takes one pill to kill.”

Virginia has also declared the opioid a “weapon of terrorism,” opening up the legal ability to slap terrorism charges on drug-related offenses. 

“There is much more work to be done, but all Virginians are grateful for the leadership of the First Lady and our Fentanyl Family Ambassadors, all of our state agencies, and our amazing federal partners including President [Donald] Trump, Attorney General [Pam] Bondi, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the men and women of the Drug Enforcement Administration,” Youngkin wrote.  

As state and federal officials aim to crack down on the drug’s infiltration of communities throughout the country, Muth said the dangers can seep into any family after his son fell victim to a fentanyl overdose. 

“There are so many deaths that take place from fentanyl,” Muth said. “My son was not a drug addict. He functioned, he worked, he went to school. Did he have weaknesses at parties? Absolutely, just like all of us do. It’s the everyday person, and that’s the biggest misconception. These are more than drug addicts; they’re human beings that are part of the community, going to school, [my son] was a hockey player. It’s just incredible the different types of people that are passing away from this problem.”