PLEASE GO TO HENRICO SCHOOL BOARD MEETING MARCH 14, 2024 LINK BELOW. READ THE LAST COMMENT ON PAGE 9 AND THE THIRD COMMENT ON PAGE 27. THIS IS WHY MARIJUANA SHOULD NOT BE LEGAL https://go.boarddocs.com/vsba/henrico/Board.nsf/files/D3CJHX4D404E/$file/Written%20Comments%203-14-24.pdf

Support. Opioid use is quickly becoming an epidemic across the Commonwealth and our schools. Notifying parents of drug related incidents at school while also providing them with credible resources for education, empowers parents to have informed conversations with their students. Without shared facts, parents are often in the dark about the scope of drug problems in their schools and students are left to social media fueled speculation about incidents in their buildings. We support parental notification and education while still providing the highest levels of protection and anonymity for the students involved. This is currently happening effectively across the state, and is enabling the entire community to work together address this issue.

February 19, 2024 Dear Members of the House Education Committee, I am writing to urge your support for SB498, sponsored by Senator Carroll Foy. This legislation is crucial in preventing other families from enduring the heartbreaking loss that we grapple with every single day. It proposes that schools should be mandated to notify parents of any school-related overdoses, thereby enhancing transparency and ensuring the safety of our children. As a mother who unexpectedly had to bury her son on his 27th birthday in 2019 due to the horrible effects of this synthetic opioid. My son Joseph was a graduate of Great Bridge High School in Chesapeake VA, who left behind a legacy of passion and talent. He pursued his dreams at Tidewater Tech to earn his welding degree and showcased his skills in various industrial labor jobs. However, his true love lay in auto body mechanics, where he excelled in body painting, detailing, vehicle repairs, and music creation. He was a devoted father to his seven-year-old son, Joseph Michael Jr. I will continue to share my testimony to honor his memory and support other mothers who are grieving the loss of their children. My son was a loving brother and a cherished friend to many. Using my voice to spread awareness has become my passion, with the mission to save the lives of children and adults by educating them on the proper fundamentals of Fentanyl. Through my platforms, publications, and nonprofit organization (Support Joey's Heart), which delivers compassionate gestures to communities and contributes to mental health challenges, my purpose is to make a difference. We must prioritize safety by informing all parents firsthand of any overdose incidents occurring within our public-school systems. Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. Sincerely, Kimberly Y. Griffin Joseph M. Travieso’s Mom (Forever 27