FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – “Save AR Students” – a substance abuse awareness week – will officially begin at 9 a.m. Monday, March 11, with a kickoff and news conference on the steps of the Arkansas State Capitol in Little Rock.

The event was organized by student government association members from the University of Arkansas and 18 other state colleges and universities.

Speakers at the news conference include Gov. Asa Hutchinson, Arkansas Drug Director Kirk Lane, Christopher Dickie, Kimberly Ashley-Pauley and Trevor Villines.

In the event of bad weather the kickoff will be held at the Association of Arkansas Counties at 1415 W. 3rd St., Little Rock.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2017 Arkansas had the second highest opioid prescription rate in the country – with more prescriptions written than the actual population of the state. National statistics show people ages 18-25 have the highest rate for illicit drug use, and college students have the highest rate of abusing the potentially addictive stimulant Adderall.  

“It’s no secret that substance use is drastically affecting the state of Arkansas,” said Trevor Villines, ASG director of external relations and one of the organizers of Save AR Students. “Substance abuse has no borders. It affects people of different gender, race and religion. If we’re going to do something about it, the time is now. It’s up to us to Save AR State, Save AR Future, but more importantly Save AR Students.”

For the substance abuse awareness week itself the Associated Student Government is teaming up with the Pat Walker Health Center and other campus organizations to raise awareness on campus. Volunteers will be tabling each day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in front of the Arkansas Union, distributing informational cards on prescription opioids, heroin, fentanyl, amphetamines, and Arkansas’ Joshua-Ashley-Pauley Act. They will also be giving away buttons and t-shirts promoting the Save AR Students.

Other events during the week include:

• A presentation by the Arkansas Department of Health at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 12, in the Graduate Education Building Auditorium.
• A panel discussion at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 13, in Reynolds Auditorium.
• A Narcan training session at 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, in the foyer of the Graduate Education Building Auditorium.