Coaches and school administrators across Arkansas are being asked to help educate students about the dangers of fentanyl, counterfeit pills and opioid overdoses.
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin joined representatives of the High School Broyles Award and Coaches vs. Overdoses at the Little Rock Touchdown Club to begin Coaches vs. Overdoses Week.
The organizations announced a partnership intended to expand fentanyl awareness and overdose-prevention resources in Arkansas schools.
“Too many Arkansans have lost their lives to counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl, and we have to do everything we can to prevent the next tragedy,” Griffin said.
Griffin said the beginning of a new school year is an important opportunity to talk with young people about the dangers of fentanyl and counterfeit pills.
“Coaches are trusted leaders in the lives of their athletes, and I encourage coaches and school administrators across Arkansas to use Coaches vs. Overdoses Week to start that conversation,” Griffin said.
Free Prevention Playbooks Available
Coaches and school administrators are encouraged to request free Coaches vs. Overdoses Prevention Playbooks and hold locker room talks with their teams.
The playbooks include educational resources and conversation starters addressing fentanyl, counterfeit pills and overdose prevention.
Organizers said the campaign is intended to reach more than coaches and athletes. The statewide effort also seeks to educate students, parents, teachers and communities.
“This is about more than just coaches and athletes,” said High School Broyles Award Executive Director Clayton Harrell. “We want to bring awareness to students, parents, educators and communities across Arkansas about the dangers of fentanyl and counterfeit pills.”
Harrell said the organization hopes the campaign will begin conversations that continue throughout the school year and give Arkansas families tools to help prevent overdoses and save lives.
Griffin said he has supported Coaches vs. Overdoses for the past 2 years. He said the program complements the One Pill Can Kill initiative being used on college campuses.
Coaches and administrators can request Prevention Playbooks at no cost and learn more at:
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