Governor Dunleavy & Senator Sullivan headline press conference to kick off “One Pill Can Kill” fentanyl awareness campaign

On May 6, 2024, Senator Dan Sullivan and Governor Mike Dunleavy held a press conference to today introduce the fentanyl awareness campaign, “One Pill Can Kill – Alaska,” to combat the increase in fentanyl-related deaths across Alaska and the country.

“Alaska is under attack,” Senator Sullivan said. “The DEA estimates that 7 out of every 10 pills that they seize contain a lethal dose of fentanyl. Think about that. It’s shocking. Scary. And it’s why this campaign is needed.

The campaign comes after the State of Alaska released preliminary data demonstrating that more Alaskans died of drug overdoses in 2023 than in any previously recorded year. The public awareness campaign examines where fentanyl is coming from, where and how it is being sold, the dangers of the drug, how it impacts Alaska communities, and the resources that are available for treatment, prevention, and reporting criminal activity.

“As Governor, I am doing everything in my power to prevent fentanyl from claiming Alaskan lives,” said Governor Mike Dunleavy. “I’m working with the Alaska legislature to stiffen penalties for those who bring fentanyl into our state or sell drugs that lead to an overdose death. Drug traffickers and fentanyl dealers are not welcome in Alaska.”

During the press conference, Senator Sullivan said that over the next several months, the campaign—which is going to bring in all Alaskans—will look at where the fentanyl is coming from, where and how it is being sold, the dangers of the drug, how it impacts Alaska communities, and importantly, the resources available for treatment, prevention and reporting criminal activity.

“Combating this epidemic needs to be a multi-pronged strategy: international, federal, state, and local, and Alaskans on the ground,” the Senator added.

“One Pill Can Kill – Alaska” is an all-hands-on-deck effort. It aims to reach Alaskans online, in-person at local community hotspots, and over traditional forms of media such as TV and radio. As part of this effort, Senator Sullivan and Governor Dunleavy will be launching public service announcement videos and graphics to be distributed on local TV, radio and online. Senator Sullivan will also be incorporating this fentanyl awareness campaign in his visits across the state in the coming months and exploring additional partnerships with students, parents and community leaders throughout the state.

Senator Sullivan and Governor Dunleavy made the announcement during a press conference at the Alaska Department of Safety Crime Lab and were joined by Attorney General Treg. R. Taylor, who spoke about House Bill 66, which will increase the penalties bill would make longer prison sentences for drug dealers and drug manufacturers connected to overdose deaths, was introduced last year.

“HB 66 makes crimes involving fentanyl more serious. In Alaska, fentanyl in three out of every four overdose deaths and the reason is that criminals often lace other drugs with fentanyl to increase profitability.

Also joining for the press conference were Statewide Drug Enforcement Unit Commander, Captain Cornelius Sims, Department of Public Health Commissioner Heidi Hedberg, and two mothers whose children were victims of drug overdoses, Sandy Snodgrass and Karen Malcom-Smith.

Snodgrass spoke of how her son Bruce’s death to a fentanyl overdose in 2021 has not only impacted her, but the communities in Alaska

“His death also influenced positive change,” she said before thanking Governor Dunleavy for introducing HB 66. “I’d like to thank you for your bill that will increase the penalties to second-degree murder when a fentanyl poising death occurs in Alaska. Senator Sullivan, I’d like to thank you for co-sponsoring Bruce’s Law. Bruce’s Law will reduce demand through awareness and education not only here in Alaska, but around the country. Both of these laws, along with the ‘One Pill Can Kill’ campaign will add three powerful tools to the toolbox.”

Karen Malcom-Smith, the founder and president of the David Dylan Foundation, has played a vital role in establishing Dylan’s Place in Wasilla, the only walk-in center in which people struggling with substance use disorder can walk in, get an assessment that same day, and receive assistance navigating Medicaid, health insurance, even a meal all while helping them find recovery resources.

“The window is short when people are ready to get help, and it’s just such an important piece of what we’re doing now.” She also highlighted several other resources in the Mat-Su available, including Banyan Recovery, True North Recovery, and Set-Free which recently launched a residential stabilization program, a long-awaited component to fill in the bed-to-bed gap for those who come out of detox and are awaiting an open spot for continuing treatment.

She made a plea for the public to think about the children who have been affected, the families, and even the communities, either directly or indirectly, by the fentanyl crisis.

“The effect on community is a silent killer in itself. Crime ravages communities. For parents, it is the most devastating form of PTSD known to man.” She said that for parents like her and Sandy who will never experience college graduations, plan for weddings, or have grandchildren, the mental health toll that fentanyl takes

“It’s beyond what we actually think about.”

She said it was her son Dylan’s birthday week, adding a depth of emotion, bringing home the message of how close fentanyl can hit everyone. “It’s been a really rough week for me. He would have been 32,” she said of her son who passed away in 2017 from an overdose.

“We've already lost way too many Alaskan lives, but there's no doubt that with all of us working together, we can reverse the shocking increase in overdoses in our state,” said Governor Dunleavy.