Sullivan Announces Fentanyl Awareness Competition for Alaska High School Students

11.19.24

WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) formally announced a competition for high school students across Alaska today to help raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl in their community. Students who participate in the competition will gain valuable experience in media and public affairs campaigns - important life experiences that will also serve their communities. More information on the competition can be found below and by clicking here.

The competition is part of the statewide "One Pill Can Kill - Alaska" public awareness campaign that Senator Sullivan launched in May. Since the campaign began, Senator Sullivan has highlighted the One Pill Can Kill campaign in community visits, roundtables and student listening sessions across the state, including in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Wasilla, Ketchikan, Cordova, Valdez, Glenallen, Kotzebue and Utqiagvik. Most recently, Senator Sullivan met with student leaders on October 23 in Wasilla and on October 24 in Anchorage to preview the new competition.

"In May, Governor Dunleavy and I began a fentanyl awareness campaign to combat an epidemic that has tragically taken the lives of a record number of Alaskans," Senator Sullivan said. "I said then that we would work hard to enlist the help of all Alaskans to fight this crisis. After hearing from youth across our state, it became clear that in order for this campaign to succeed, young Alaskans in particular would need to play a big role. As one student told me during my listening sessions across the state, the 'One Pill Can Kill' message is a lot stronger when it comes from your peers. That's why we're launching this One Pill Can Kill competition for high school students across our state. By harnessing the creative and bright minds of Alaska's next generation of leaders, I hope we can finally turn the tide against this horrendous plague on our communities."

"I completely agree with Senator Sullivan that one of the most powerful tools in the fight against fentanyl is the voices of young Alaskans speaking the truth to their peers," Sandy Snodgrass, mother of fentanyl victim, Bruce Snodgrass, and director of the AK Fentanyl Response Project said. "I believe young Alaskans will hear the message that all illicit drugs must be presumed to be contaminated with fentanyl when they hear the facts directly from their peers. I would like to thank Senator Sullivan for holding this awareness competition. It will save Alaskan lives!"

ABOVE: Sen. Sullivan hosts a One Pill Can Kill discussion with students at Wasilla High School.
BELOW: Sen. Sullivan and Sandy Snodgrass meet with students from the Anchorage School District.

Competition Details:

What: We are asking students tolaunch a "One Pill Can Kill" media campaign to reach high school students. The campaign can reach students in a variety of ways: posters in hallways, advertisements in student newspapers, or videos on social media are a few examples. Creativity is key.

The campaigns should use the "One Pill Can Kill" messaging and highlight the dangers of fentanyl, the risks of non-prescription drug use, and the importance of staying informed and seeking help.

Who: This competition is open to groups of high school students in Alaska. Schools are encouraged to submit one campaign per school but may submit more. Each entry must include at least two students' participation. Home schooled students may also participate by launching a media campaign that reaches youth in locations other than school, including online.

How: After launching the campaign, contestants must submit a report to Senator Sullivan's communications team explaining their campaign, how it was executed and what they learned. Keep in mind the judging criteria below. Examples of the campaign's media materials must be included or linked to in the report.

Judging Criteria :

1. Effectiveness - Is the campaign effective?
2. Targeted Audience - Does the campaign reach the intended audience?
3. Messaging - Does the campaign incorporate the theme of "One Pill Can Kill - Alaska?"
4. Creativity - Is the campaign innovative?
5. Accuracy - Are the facts about fentanyl and its risks correct and well-researched?
6. Lessons Learned - Does the report explain what they learned from the experience?

Prize:

While all campaigns will be featured on Senator Sullivan's website, the winning campaign will work with Senator Sullivan's communications team to design public service announcements featured as part of the statewide "One Pill Can Kill - Alaska" campaign. It will be shared on Senator Sullivan's social media channels and offered for distribution to local television, radio, and print media across Alaska.

Timeline:

• Report Submission Deadline: February 28, 2025
• Winners Announced: March 14, 2025

In Case You Missed It:

Ketchikan Daily News
October 23, 2024

EDITORIAL: Alaska hurting from fentanyl

By the Editorial Board

". . . Opioids killed a record number of Alaskans in 2023 as Alaska's percentage of drug overdoses increased by 40% - the largest increase of any state for '23.

"Alaska had 123 drug overdose deaths in 2014, 105 in 1018 and 342 in 2023.

"To say that Alaska is under attack is an understatement.

"But that is how U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan sees it. He has started a statewide fentanyl awareness campaign called "One Pill Can Kill."

:And one will. Sullivan's website offers a toolkit designed to help Alaskans fight fentanyl's abuse.

"This campaign will examine where fentanyl is coming from, where and how it is being sold, the dangers of the drug, how it impacts our Alaska communities, and the resources that are available for treatment, prevention, and reporting criminal activity," states Sullivan's site.

"Access to the campaign, which is for all Alaskans who wish to join, is available through that site.

"The information on the site includes, but is not limited to:

• Fentanyl is the deadliest drug ever for Alaska.
• It is being marketed on social media.
• Drug cartels make fentanyl to appear as if it is candy, Xanax and other pharmaceuticals.
• Six out of every 10 fake pills with fentanyl contain a lethal dose.

"We share this information because it is valuable. Every Alaskan in one way or another is affected by fentanyl and other drug-related deaths; every community suffers the effects.

"We also chose this topic because it is Red Ribbon Week, a week specifically designated for awareness of illegal drugs and their deadly potential, and Ketchikan has observed it for decades.

"Annually, the week pays tribute to a U.S. drug enforcement officer who lost his life in Mexico while fighting illegal drug traffickers.

"After the death of Special Agent Enrique Camarena, a California congressman launched Camarena clubs in Camarena's hometown of Calexico, Calif. Hundreds of club members wore red ribbons and pledged to be drug-free. It led to a nationwide effort to educate youth in particular about the devastating result of drug abuse.

"The clubs led to the annual Red Ribbon Week, which begins Oct. 23 - today.

"We encourage readers here to look at Sullivan's website and gather information helpful to reducing the effects of fentanyl and other illegally distributed drugs. Then share the information, especially with children, regardless of whether they are "good" kids or kids already living in a drug environment. Fentanyl makes no distinction.

"This is a fight that is won one kid at a time. One individual. Then another, as Alaska strives - and it should actively - to become the state with the lowest number of drug-overdose deaths."

For more news clippings on the fentanyl crisis impacting Alaska, visit www.sullivan.senate.gov/onepill.

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ABOVE: Sen. Sullivan hosts a One Pill Can Kill discussion with students at Wasilla High School.

BELOW: Sen. Sullivan and Sandy Snodgrass meet with students from the Anchorage School District.

Sen. Sullivan hosts a One Pill Can Kill discussion with students at Wasilla High School.

Sen. Sullivan hosts a One Pill Can Kill discussion with students at Wasilla High School.

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