Student Group Organizes Opioid and Substance Abuse Awareness Week

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas Razorback Action Group has enlisted support from state, local and campus leaders to host the first campuswide Opioid and Substance Abuse Awareness Week, April 23-28.

"The opioid and substance abuse epidemic is affecting colleges and universities nationwide,”said Trevor Villines, director of external relations for the Associated Student Government and an organizer of the week’s events. “As student leaders it's our job to serve as a voice for all students. It is our goal to educate students about the resources available on campus and state laws that protect students such as the Joshua-Ashley-Pauley Act. We invite students to participate in the week’s events and join us on raising awareness. Together we can lead the state of Arkansas and the nation to reverse the opioid epidemic."

The week will begin with a kickoff event and news conference at 9 a.m. Monday, April 23, at the Arkansas Union South Terace. Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin will provide the keynote address, followed by the signing of proclamations by Washington County Judge Joseph Wood and Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan. Other speakers include ASG President Andrew Counce, Gina Allgaier of Speakup About Drugs, Asher Morgan, a U of A substance-abuse prevention coordinator, and a representative from the Arkansas Attorney General's Office. Each speaker will talk about the work they've done to address the opioid epidemic, how it's affecting college students and how awareness will make a difference.

During the week members of the Razorback Action Group will visit each Greek organization on campus to discuss the week’s events. The group will also have tables set up in front of the Arkansas Union throughout the week to pass out items such as flyers, T-shirts, free food, buttons and stickers.

Arkansas Drug Director Kirk Lane will join a moderated panel discussion of the opiod and substance abuse crisis – and its solutions, at 5 p.m. Thursday, April 26, in Reynolds Auditorium of the Donald W. Reynolds Center for Enterprise Development on West Fairview Avenue. 

The week will wrap up with a Drug Take Back from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the University Police headquarters on Razorback Road. This will coincide with similar events across the state. This will be an opportunity for anyone in the campus community to drop off unused prescription drugs, no questions asked. This event will help make people aware of the permanent Drug Drop-off Box at UAPD. Asher Morgan will also be at the event top give out information on substance abuse programs at the campus Wellness Center.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.