Attorney General Tim Griffin announced on Mar. 30 that Arkansas has seen a drop of more than 50% in opioid overdose deaths since the summer of 2023, citing recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Griffin made this statement during a press conference with University of Arkansas Chancellor Charles Robinson to mark the second round of One Pill Can Kill training at the university.
The reduction in overdose deaths is significant as it suggests ongoing efforts are having an impact on public health and safety. The Attorney General’s office engages in initiatives addressing public integrity and community relations across the state, according to the official website.
Griffin said, “We kicked off the One Pill Can Kill initiative at the University of Arkansas nearly 18 months ago. According to statistics recently published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Arkansas’s number of opioid overdose deaths has dropped by more than 50% since the summer 2023.” He added that his office is funding two additional Narcan vending machines on campus, which will provide free access to Narcan for students.
He continued, “This is the 11th round of training we’ve provided to college students on campuses across the state, and we have many more planned. To date, we’ve trained more than 1,700 students on the dangers of illicit opioids and how to respond when someone overdoses.”
Chancellor Robinson said, “Campus safety and preparing students to have a positive impact in the world are two of our top priorities, and our partnership with Attorney General Griffin’s office is advancing both. The knowledge, skills, and resources participants will gain through this training could make a lifesaving difference in an emergency where every second counts.”
The Attorney General’s office offers consumer protection services, handles civil and criminal matters, supports public safety initiatives according to its official website, serves all Arkansans with legal services according to its official website, provides resources for fraud reporting as well as community education programs according to its official website, and operates within legal and public safety sectors statewide according to its official website.
Looking ahead, Griffin said there are many more rounds of student training planned: “The drop in overdose deaths since 2023 illustrates the stakes involved: We’re helping to save Arkansans’ lives.”
