Stephen Dwight, Calcasieu Parish District Attorney, has created a fentanyl awareness and education program called One Life at a Time.
“One life lost to an overdose is too many. Nearly 100 people die of an overdose in Calcasieu Parish each year and it’s time that dealers and distributors of fentanyl are held accountable for murder if someone dies of a fentanyl overdose.” said Dwight.
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use as an analgesic and anesthetic. It is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin.
“I believe there is a lack of education and awareness surrounding fentanyl which is why we have seen overdose deaths from non-addicts. A large amount of people are unaware that fentanyl is being pressed into the majority of street pills to mimic legitimate pharmaceutical drugs.” said Dwight. He explained “It’s common for teenagers and young adults to message a friend, classmate, or even a stranger to ask if they have an extra Adderall or Vyvanse so they can stay up late and study. They get ahold of a pill that they think is a legitimate pharmaceutical drug, take it, and die because it was laced with fentanyl.”
By holding training presentations, the program aims to reach parents, elementary, middle, and high school aged youth as well as college students and community members who would like to expand their knowledge on fentanyl.
The program’s goal is to educate the community on what fentanyl is, the consequences dealers can face, what to do if you are with someone who is overdosing, and the importance of only taking medication that is prescribed to you. The Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office hopes that by educating and spreading awareness, we can save one life at a time.
For more information on the One Life at a Time program, please visit www.calcasieuda.com or call Bethany Bryant at 337-437-3276 to schedule a training presentation.