Stephen Dwight, the District Attorney of Calcasieu Parish, has established a program called One Life at a Time, which aims to raise awareness and provide education about fentanyl.
Dwight stated that even losing just one life to an overdose is unacceptable. He emphasized the importance of holding fentanyl dealers and distributors accountable for any deaths resulting from overdoses in Calcasieu Parish, as nearly 100 people die each year from such incidents.
Fentanyl is a strong synthetic opioid drug that is authorized by the Food and Drug Administration to be used as a painkiller and anesthesia. It is about 100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin.
According to Dwight, there is a lack of knowledge and understanding about fentanyl, leading to overdose deaths. Many people are unaware that street pills often contain fentanyl, posing as legitimate pharmaceutical drugs. Dwight explained that it is common for young people to seek out pills from friends, classmates, or strangers for studying purposes, only to unknowingly take a pill laced with fentanyl and tragically die as a result.
The program plans to educate parents, elementary, middle, and high school students, college students, and community members on fentanyl through training presentations.
The objective of the program is to inform the public about the nature of fentanyl, the potential legal ramifications for drug dealers, how to respond if someone is overdosing, and the importance of only using prescription medication.
The Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office aims to prevent loss of life through education and raising awareness, one person at a time.
To learn more about the One Life at a Time program, visit www.calcasieuda.com or contact Bethany Bryant at 337-437-3276 to arrange a training session.