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Attorney General urges fentanyl awareness at University of Arkansas, pledges $50 million for opioid research and expands Narcan support
Summary
At a University of Arkansas event, the state Attorney General launched a "1 pill can kill" awareness effort, pledged $50 million from opioid-abatement funds for a National Center for Opioid Research at Arkansas Children's Hospital, and announced Narcan distribution, a vending machine and law-enforcement and student trainings.
The state Attorney General spoke at the University of Arkansas on a campus fentanyl-awareness event, warning that a single pill laced with fentanyl can be lethal and announcing a major research and harm-reduction effort.
"Literally 1 pill laced with Fentanyl can kill you," the Attorney General said, framing the program as education and prevention to protect students and communities.
The Attorney General said his office is using opioid-abatement funds from litigation settlements to address both immediate needs and long-term research. "I've committed $50,000,000 to Arkansas Children's Hospital to start the National Center For Opioid Research," he said, describing the grant as a long-term strategic investment to accelerate research and expand treatment capacity.
He outlined a three-part response: law enforcement to pursue suppliers, prevention through education, and treatment for people with addiction. He repeatedly emphasized campus outreach: "This Fentanyl is here on campus," he said, adding that the program at the university will be a model to replicate across the state.
The Attorney General attributed the surge in illicit fentanyl to foreign supply chains and criticized the Chinese government’s role in ingredient production. He said, "They allow this to happen" and added that, "they are able to kill about 200,000, I believe is the estimate, Americans a year without firing 1 shot," presenting that number as his belief.
Chancellor Robinson thanked the Attorney General and described ongoing campus efforts. "The University of Arkansas has already invested in this effort," Robinson said, and reported the campus has "some 541 Narcan kits on our campus." He said Pat Walker Health Center and campus police will be partners in distributing resources and training.
The Attorney General announced immediate and upcoming activities: an afternoon law-enforcement training session and an evening student program that includes Narcan training and instruction on fentanyl test strips, with student sign-in scheduled at about 4:45 p.m. and a welcome at 5:15 p.m. He also said the office will support replacement of Narcan supplies over time, noting kits may need replacement roughly every three years.
During a brief question-and-answer period, an audience member asked whether university-specific Narcan or overdose statistics exist. The Attorney General offered to follow up to obtain campus data.
The event combined awareness, resource distribution, and training, and the Attorney General said the administration will continue to partner with higher education and local law enforcement while rolling out the program statewide.
The Attorney General closed by encouraging attendance at training events and distribution points on campus.
