The Arkansas attorney general’s office brought the national One Pill Can Kill campaign to campus Monday evening to educate students on the dangers of fentanyl and how to recognize an overdose.

Tim Griffin, Arkansas Attorney General, said the phrase “one pill can kill” is not just a slogan or catchy phrase. 

“It’s the truth. It’s a reality,” Griffin said. “We’re talking about something so strong that just a tiny amount, like grains of salt, can stop someone’s being.”

Griffin said some drugs are disguised as prescription medication. He said powerful, dangerous synthetic opioids can look nearly identical to Xanax and Adderall.

“The scariest part, most people who take these pills don’t even know what’s in it,” Griffin said. “They think they’re taking something to help them study, relax, but one bad pill can change everything.” 

The One Pill Can Kill campaign focuses on awareness, education and empowerment and aims to give students the training, knowledge and tools to recognize the risk of an overdose to protect themselves and others. 

In 2024, five out of 10 pills had lethal doses of fentanyl in them. As little as two milligrams of fentanyl is enough to kill most people. Two milligrams is about the weight of a mosquito or a couple of grains of fine sand.

Drawstring backpacks containing informational pamphlets and a single dose of Narcan nasal spray were given to all attendees.

Narcan is a safe, effective and nonaddictive medication that temporarily reverses an opioid overdose.

At a press conference the morning of the event, A-State Chancellor Todd Shields said he is proud to partner with the attorney general’s office to raise awareness of the dangers of fentanyl. 

“The health and safety of our Red Wolves always come first,” Shields said. “The One Pill Can Kill campaign brings that message directly to our campus community. Together, we are empowering students with the knowledge to make safe choices and protect one another.”

Narcan is provided for free on campus and available in all campus facilities following a partnership with the attorney general’s office.

Miss Greater Little Rock, Apple Dennie, spoke at the event. She said a drug overdose changed her life.

“The topic of fentanyl overdose is extremely personal to me because that’s how I lost one of my best friends in 2021. I lost my friend Lizzie,” Dennie said.

Dennie said Lizzie exuded laughter and joy and was a loving person, but she fell into a fentanyl addiction because of an abusive partner. She said just as Lizzie was on the path to recovery, she relapsed.

“That single moment didn’t just end her life, it completely changed mine.” Dennie said. “What happened to Lizzie is happening to thousands and thousands of others every year.”

Dennie said this personal tragedy encouraged her to start Purpose in Prevention, a community-wide initiative about substance abuse prevention that encourages people to have open conversations and save lives through awareness.

“You don’t need to have all the answers,” Dennie said. “What you do need to do is care enough to speak up and just enough to change decision-making. Be the friend that checks in, be the friend that’s not afraid to get help and together, we can save lives. Not through policy or programs, but through being present for one another.”

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