LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Arkansas State Police officials say fentanyl is a dangerous and potent drug that is harming Arkansas communities, which is why they’re pushing to get it off the streets.
Staci James, executive director of Hope Movement Coalition, said the fentanyl crisis is close to her heart and she wants to make sure other people are aware of the danger.
“The reason I’m so passionate about getting this off the street is because fentanyl killed my son at 22 years old,” she said. “We are losing teenagers to fake fentanyl-pressed pills. Two families in the Hope Movement right now are going through losses. The parents of a 17-year-old and parents of a 14-year-old lost their child.”
The latest complete data from the CDC shows that in 2022 Arkansas had 617 overdose deaths. Which is why James is thankful to see the push from Arkansas State Police to get the dangerous drug off the streets.