As part of the culminating activity for the Virginia Executive Institute (VEI), a program in the Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute at the VCU L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, a group of executives has helped to impact the law in the Commonwealth. Four VEI participants' ideas have resulted in Virginia House Bill 342, which now provides guidelines for state agencies. 

In the fall of 2023, a group in the VEI class presented a project focused on educating the public about the risks of Fentanyl and the importance of providing Narcan to state agencies. The goal was to allow employees of those agencies to possess and administer Narcan as needed. The presentation by this group, nicknamed The Fighting First, was well-received, and they were invited to present their work at the Attorney General's office in December 2023. Their presentation impressed the attendees and resulted in the Office of the Attorney General deciding to fund the project. Additionally, the Opioid Abatement Authority requested them to present their work, with the possibility of a Senator attending that session. 

Since their presentation at the VEI fall 2023 graduation, their work has become part of the law in the Commonwealth. Virginia House Bill 342 now provides guidelines for state agencies, allowing them to possess and administer naloxone or other opioid antagonists. 

This group's success can be attributed to the combined knowledge and experience of three state agency employees and a federal employee from the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency. Their success also speaks to the Virginia Executive Institute projects' power and importance for the Commonwealth. We are extremely proud of them and their accomplishment.

• Zacc Allen: Chief Information Officer, Information Technology Unit, Department of Corrections
• Mike Alston: Director, Human Capital & Development Division, Department of Medical Assistance Services
• Allen Blair: Senior Talent Management Consultant, Department of Human Resources Management
• Tiffany Yacomeni: Branch Chief, Court Services & Offender Supervision Agency

The Virginia Executive Institute is a two-week program that provides a dynamic forum for leaders to join an impressive network of state executives who have committed to developing their leadership strengths and becoming change agents for Virginia's future. The culminating activity of VEI is the opportunity to discuss and address real issues being encountered by state government. Each participant works in a small group on a critical problem facing the commonwealth, and they present and propose a solution to a critical leadership challenge at the VEI graduation held at the capitol.

The Fighting First’s project topic and description included:

A Virginia Crisis: The Fight Against Fentanyl

Drug overdoses are the leading cause of unnatural deaths in Virginia. According to the Virginia Department of Health, more than 7,300 fatal fentanyl deaths occurred from 2013 to 2021. An average of five Virginians die from fentanyl overdoses each day. Ninety-four percent of these overdose deaths were accidental. According to the CDC over 150 people die each day across the United States from overdoses that are related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl.

Many Virginians are fighting back against this deadly killer. VEI Group One plans to present facts about legal and illicit fentanyl, the crisis that is before us, and the current efforts in Virginia to help lower overdose deaths. Our group will also explore factors that we believe can help reduce overdoses such as training, and awareness.

You can see their full presentation here: https://pmg.vcu.edu/professional-development/vei/leadership-challenge-presentations/. 

The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute and the Wilder School want to offer our huge congratulations and express our pride in this group's efforts to change the commonwealth. Fighting First, thank you for making a direct impact on Virginians! 

To read more about the Virginia Executive Institute or the other professional development programs at the Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, visit, https://gehli.vcu.edu/ or https://pmg.vcu.edu/.