Attorney General Lynn Fitch welcomed Delta State University as the latest partner to One Pill Can Kill, her publicawareness campaign to educate, support and empower Mississippians with information on the dangers of fentanyl, how to identify it, and what to do if astudent or friend is overdosing.
“I am proud to announce that Delta State is partnering with my office toeducate and protect students from fentanyl,” said Attorney General LynnFitch.“Counterfeit pills are easily available – even to adolescents – throughsocial media and other apps, and they are increasingly common throughoutMississippi, but we are working together to combat this crisis. Through our university partnerships alone, we are able to reach nearly 60,000 students withthe harrowing truth that it only takes one pill to kill - this is truly remarkableand the reason I remain hopeful and confident that we will end this deadlyepidemic once and for all."The One Pill Can Kill initiative is one half of a two-prong approach to fightingfentanyl. As part of the initiative, the Attorney General’s Office is distributing 22,000 Fentanyl Harm Prevention Kits - which include two fentanyl test trips,a pair of gloves for safety, a safe drug disposal bag, and a pill identification cardthat identifies whether the drug is legitimate - to colleges and universities, lawenforcement agencies, community mental health centers, and other community groups. In addition, General Fitch established the AGO Fentanyl Strike Force, aconcerted effort to train and organize law enforcement officers and prosecutorsacross the state to safely and effectively investigate and prosecute fentanylcases.Joining General Fitch at the announcement were Dr. Leslie Griffin, InterimProvost and Vice President Academic Affairs at Delta State University; ChiefJeff Johns, Chief of Police for Delta State University; and Charlotte Bryant,Outreach Coordinator for Stand Up, Mississippi.“Delta State University is eager to join the One Pill Can Kill campaign. It isheartening that Attorney General Fitch is bringing this initiative to our campus and rural region," said Delta State University’s Dr. Leslie Griffin.
The risk associated with this drug is high and we must be aggressive in educatingour students and citizens.”As part of the partnership, the Attorney General’s Office delivered 1,000 Fentanyl Harm Prevention Kits, an additional 500 Fentanyl test strips, and 100educational posters to be displayed across campus. Following theannouncement, students will receive a training on how to administer Narcan, alife-saving medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids, and atraining on how to properly use the fentanyl test strips.“Addiction is a complex issue that affects people and communities all over ourstate and our nation, regardless of age, gender, or background. It is our goal toraise awareness, provide resources, and advocate for effective strategies tocombat opioid misuse. The Department of Mental Health is proud to partner with the Attorney General’s Office to address the ongoing opioid crisis throughthis important and life-saving initiative.” said Charlotte Bryant, OutreachCoordinator for Stand Up, Mississippi.Delta State Chief Jeff Johns said, “It is with great pleasure that I welcomethe One Pill Can Kill Campaign to Delta State University and the Mississippi Delta.
I commend the remarkable efforts of my friend and colleague, AttorneyGeneral Lynn Fitch, in leading this campaign and her dedicated strike force.The necessity of partnerships in combating this clear and present danger to ourcommunities cannot be overstated. We must reject the misconception that thiscrisis is confined to any one group or segment. In reality, it affects everysocioeconomic stratum in our nation, as adversaries proliferate this threatacross all illegal markets, from counterfeit pills to marijuana. The issue poses asignificant challenge to our higher education institutions, both public andprivate, in safeguarding our youth. Tragically, we have already seen studentsnationwide succumb to the evils of fentanyl. It is imperative for all of us in positions of authority to respond to the call to action in every city, campus, andstate, and to mobilize our communities against this deadly drug."Since launching the initiative, Attorney General Fitch has welcomed similar partnerships with the University of Mississippi, University of Southern Mississippi, Alcorn State University, and Mississippi State University.
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