Alcorn State University Partners with Attorney General Fitch on One Pill Can Kill Initiative, Educating Students on Dangers of Fentanyl

Attorney General Lynn Fitch today welcomed Alcorn State University as a new partner for One Pill Can Kill, her public awareness campaign to educate, support and empower Mississippians with information on the dangers of fentanyl, how to identify it, and what to do if a student or friend is overdosing. Click here to access the media kit.

“Counterfeit pills are too easily available – even to adolescents – through social media and other apps, and they are increasingly common throughout Mississippi,” said General Fitch. “A crisis of this magnitude cannot be defeated without the involvement of the entire community, and I am grateful to Alcorn State University for stepping up and answering the call to save lives. Together, we will beat this crisis.”

The One Pill Can Kill initiative is one half of a two-prong approach to fighting fentanyl. As part of the initiative, the Attorney General’s Office will distribute 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 card that identifies whether the drug is legitimate – to colleges and universities, law enforcement centers, community mental health centers, and other community groups. In addition, General Fitch established the AGO Fentanyl Strike Force, a concerted effort to train and organize law enforcement officers and prosecutors across the state to safely and effectively investigate and prosecute fentanyl cases.

Joining General Fitch at the announcement were Dr. Adell Brown, interim Vice President for Finance, Administrative Services, and Operations/Chief Financial Officer for Alcorn State University; Wendy Bailey, Executive Director for the Mississippi Department of Mental Health; Dorothy Davis, MSN, R.N., Executive Director of Health and Well-being; and Ronald Turner of the Mississippi Public Health Institute (MSPHI).

“The One Pill Can Kill initiative is vital to our state as we combat this issue to help save lives,” said Dr. Brown. “Attorney General Fitch’s action to educate our citizens and provide preventative measures should be commended.”

As part of the partnership, the Attorney General’s Office delivered 1,000 Fentanyl Harm Prevention Kits for students. Following the announcements, students will receive Narcan, a life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids and a training on how to administer the medication and properly use the fentanyl testing strips. More than 100 student leaders will be attending the training. In 2023, Attorney General Fitch welcomed similar partnerships with the University of Mississippi and University of Southern Mississippi, as well.

“The Mississippi Public Health Institute is honored to partner with Alcorn State University and Attorney General Fitch to provide Opioid Overdose Prevention and Emergency First Aid Kits to the Alcorn State community. In 2023, Mississippi reported over 700 accidental overdose deaths that could have been prevented with lifesaving naloxone, also known as Narcan. We strive to make these kits a staple in homes around the state,” said Dr. AnnaLyn Whitt, Program Director at MSPHI. “MSPHI is committed to continuing our collaboration with ASU to create communities of health and recovery.”

Learn more about One Pill Can Kill at AttorneyGeneralLynnFitch.com/OnePill or request a Fentanyl Harm Prevention Kit by email at [email protected].