Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin announced on Mar. 30 that the state has seen a drop of more than 50% in opioid overdose deaths since summer 2023, citing new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during a press conference at the University of Arkansas.
The announcement was made as part of the second round of One Pill Can Kill training at the university, an initiative aimed at educating students about the dangers of illicit opioids and how to respond to overdoses. The issue is significant for public health and safety in Arkansas, where combating drug misuse remains a priority.
“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,” Griffin said. He added that multiple partners contributed to this trend but stressed ongoing vigilance: “But now is not the time to rest on success, which is why we came back to Fayetteville today for another round of student training.”
Griffin also announced funding for two additional Narcan vending machines on campus, providing free access to overdose-reversal medication. He stated, “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.”
University Chancellor Charles 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 Arkansas Attorney General’s office engages in initiatives addressing public integrity and community relations across Arkansas according to its official website. It offers consumer protection services while handling civil and criminal matters as well as supporting public safety initiatives according to its official website. The office serves all Arkansans with legal services including fraud reporting resources, legal opinions, community education programs according to its official website, operating within legal and public safety sectors statewide according to its official website.
Griffin concluded his remarks by emphasizing progress: “The drop in overdose deaths since 2023 illustrates the stakes involved: We’re helping to save Arkansans’ lives.”
