Arkansas A.G. Launches “One Pill Can Kill” Initiative to Combat Fentanyl on Campus

The following is a press release from Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin:

October 29, 2024

Griffin: ‘The training and resources offered by the One Pill Can Kill initiative will save lives’

FAYETTEVILLE – Attorney General Tim Griffin today at the University of Arkansas issued the following statement announcing “One Pill Can Kill,” an initiative to educate college students about the dangers of fentanyl and give them tools to combat it:

“Fentanyl is a scourge on our society, and it disproportionately impacts our young people. One Pill Can Kill is a multifaceted initiative to help protect college students from the risk of opioid overdose.

“As part of the initiative, student leaders are being educated about the dangers of fentanyl, and they’re being trained to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose, how to administer naloxone to treat someone experiencing an overdose, and how to use testing strips to ensure that medications or beverages have not been laced with fentanyl.

“Using state opioid settlement funds, I am providing harm-prevention kits—which include fentanyl testing strips, a naloxone ‘vending machine,’ and funding the student training.

“This initiative will be statewide, but we are starting at the University of Arkansas campus here in Fayetteville. I am extremely grateful for the cooperation and support of Chancellor Charles Robinson and university staff. The training and resources offered by the One Pill Can Kill initiative will save lives.”

University of Arkansas Chancellor Charles F. Robinson provided this statement:

“Fentanyl overdoses are claiming the lives of far too many young Arkansans, and with the support of Attorney General Griffin, the University of Arkansas is fully committed to educating and equipping our community to confront this crisis head-on. As this initiative expands to colleges and universities throughout the state, its impact will multiply, offering life-saving knowledge and tools to thousands more young Arkansans.”

To learn more about Arkansas’s One Pill Can Kill initiative, visit www.arkansasag.gov/OnePillCanKill.

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Pine Bluff Casino Donates Tens of Thousands to Political Action Committees Ahead of Election

A Pine Bluff casino has donated heavily to political action committees around the state ahead of the 2024 election, according to state financial disclosure reports.

Political action committees — or PACs — typically work to elect or defeat candidates for public office. They can do that by donating to candidates’ campaigns, by giving to political parties, by running their own independent campaigns for or against candidates, and by issuing public endorsements for certain candidates.

Saracen Casino in Pine Bluff is one of three casinos authorized under Amendment 100. The casino is owned by the Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma, and it has operated in Jefferson County since 2019.

According to reports filed with the Arkansas Secretary of State, this year Saracen Casino has given $45,000 total to the following political action committees:

Some of these PACs accept donations from many different people and companies, but in each case Saracen Casino appears to be among the PAC’s largest donors.

The money that these PACs receive is generally donated to other political action committees or to specific candidates running for office in Arkansas.

Saracen is not the only casino making political contributions, but so far they are the largest donor.

Oaklawn Casino in Hot Springs has donated only $12,500 to political campaigns this year, and Delaware North Companies that owns Southland Casino in West Memphis has only donated $5,000 for 2024.

Casino gambling is big business, and the companies that profit from it have a lot of money at their disposal for lobbying and political campaigns.

For example, Saracen Casino in Pine Bluff has pushed for a public policy change that would permit casino-style gambling statewide on any smart phone or mobile device. Family Council believes casino interests could lobby for this kind of digital gambling during the coming legislative session.

It’s worth pointing out the Arkansas Problem Gambling Council has seen a 22% increase in calls for help with problem gambling this year — a spike largely driven by sports betting.

As powerful corporations try to make gambling part of everyday life, it is important for Arkansas to protect citizens and families from predatory gambling.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.