This past Sunday, close to 500 VOICE leaders and allies gathered at Fairfax High School for a powerful Behavioral Health Assembly in partnership with Inova Health System. The assembly served as a pivotal moment for our community as we came together to address urgent issues impacting the health and safety of our youth—most notably, the alarming rise of fentanyl overdoses and the critical need for greater access to naloxone, the life-saving overdose reversal drug. We were thankful to have Fairfax Board of County Supervisors Chair, Jeff McKay, Fairfax Schools Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid, and School Board Chair, Karl Frisch.
Raising Awareness, Saving Lives
The assembly was filled with determination and a shared sense of urgency. Attendees, including parents, educators, faith leaders, and elected officials, heard impactful stories from individuals who have been directly affected by the opioid crisis. The pain and hope shared in these stories underscored why our work must continue and expand.
Rev. Stephen Smith-Cobbs, a clergy leader with VOICE, captured the essence of our mission: “[Naloxone] saves lives, and police officers are trained in how to use it—we want to additionally train folks in school districts on how to be able to use it.” This statement struck a chord with the audience, echoing our belief that naloxone access shouldn’t be limited to law enforcement. Every school, every community, every person should be empowered with the knowledge and tools to act when a life is at stake.
Calling for a Youth Crisis Receiving Center
In addition to calling for broader naloxone training, the assembly highlighted the urgent need for a Youth Mental Health Crisis Receiving Center in Northern Virginia. Currently, the lack of a dedicated facility means that many young people in mental health crises are taken to emergency rooms or held in police custody—neither of which are suitable for their unique needs.
Rev. Smith-Cobbs emphasized, “We feel like this can really be a trendsetter to help make a difference.” Such a center would not only provide a supportive environment for youth experiencing crises, it would also free up valuable time for police officers, allowing them to focus on other public safety responsibilities. It was inspiring to hear from Chair McKay, who pledged his support for the project, stating, “We will continue to ensure that it gets built and operated as quickly as we possibly can.”
The Power of Collective Action
Sunday’s assembly demonstrated the power of what we can accomplish together when our voices unite around a common purpose. The turnout of nearly 500 attendees showed that our community cares deeply about protecting our young people and addressing the root causes of the mental health and substance abuse crises. This is just the beginning. With the energy and commitment we witnessed, we are confident that real, transformative change is on the horizon.
VOICE also raised $9,000 in individual donations on Sunday to support our work. Thank you to all who gave!
Special thanks to our sponsors:
- Inova Health System
- Connections Health Solutions
- Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing
- UVA Health System
- Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association
- Warner & Jennifer Roberts
Next Steps for VOICE Leaders: Stay Engaged
VOICE Fairfax will soon gather leaders to discuss our three-pronged campaign around the regional Youth Crisis Receiving Center, an overdose-prevention social media effort, and universal naloxone training for Fairfax middle and high school students.
In the coming days, we will also send out information with dates and locations for VOICE’s nonpartisan Get Out the Vote effort.
Ready to get involved? Visit our Events Page for upcoming opportunities to take action.
For press coverage on the event, check out WJLA’s report and WUSA9’s story, both highlighting the critical calls for action.
