Henrico Sports and Events Center partners with Virginia attorney general to educate public about fentanyl poisoning

The Henrico Sports and Entertainment Authority is partnering with Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares to launch a public service campaign to educate people about the dangers of fentanyl poisoning. The campaign will involve prominent signage, digital displays, and information booths at various events, enabling the ongoing “One Pill Can Kill” initiative to reach attendees and also provide information about identifying and avoiding counterfeit medications.

The “One Pill Can Kill” campaign, initially launched statewide in 2022 and modeled after the Drug Enforcement Administration’s national campaign, was updated in Virginia in February with a new website and statewide advertising campaign. The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness about the risks associated with counterfeit pills and reduce harm in communities statewide.

“Make no mistake – the rise of fentanyl poisoning is chemical warfare,” Miyares said. “It’s through education, prevention, and accessible resources that we can fight back against the threat opioids and fake prescription pills present to us and to our loved ones.”

“We are excited to collaborate with Attorney General Miyares on the ‘One Pill Can Kill’ initiative,” said Dennis Bickmeier, executive director of the Henrico Sports & Entertainment Authority. “By utilizing the visibility and engagement opportunities available at the Henrico Sports & Events Center, we can help spread the vital message of awareness and prevention. Together, we aim to make a significant impact in the fight against counterfeit pills and the opioid crisis.”

Officials from the Drug Enforcement Agency have reported a dramatic rise in the number of fake pills containing at least 2 mg of fentanyl, which is considered a potentially lethal dose. Criminal drug networks are flooding the state with these pills, according to Miyares and his office, masquerading them as legitimate prescription drugs and deceiving the public. Laboratory testing indicates seven out of every 10 pills seized by the DEA contain a lethal dose of fentanyl. In 2023, the DEA seized a record 74.5 million fentanyl pills, which exceeds 2022’s total of 58 million pills.

In 2022, an estimated 1,967 people died from overdoses of fentanyl or other synthetic opioids in Virginia. Fentanyl, the synthetic opioid most commonly found in fake pills, is the primary driver in this increase in poisoning deaths, officials said. For details about the campaign, visit onepillcankillva.org.

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