Every life lost to an overdose is a tragedy, but every life saved is a reason to keep fighting.

August is Overdose Awareness Month, which is an opportunity to remember the Arkansans and Americans we have lost to the overdose crisis while recognizing the progress we are making to prevent future tragedies. Overdose deaths are declining nationally, signaling that our efforts to address this crisis are working thanks to innovative steps being taken by communities nationwide, including our own.

But we cannot mistake progress for victory.

Fentanyl and other opioids continue to threaten families and communities, and we must remain committed to prevention, treatment, education and holding those who traffic these deadly drugs accountable.

Our state is seeing encouraging signs. The state recorded 371 drug overdose deaths in 2025, down from 390 in 2024. Still, each of these tragic fatalities represents a life lost and a family forever changed. The decline demonstrates that efforts to combat the influx of dangerous drugs, embrace more treatment methods and increase the availability of lifesaving resources can make a difference. We should build on this success and continue looking for ways to save more lives.

Arkansans are also taking meaningful steps to make sure help is available when it is needed most. Arkansas State University recently placed 130 opioid rescue kits across its campus, including one in every building, giving students and staff immediate access to Narcan which can reverse an overdose, as well as a breathing mask and step-by-step instructions to follow while waiting for first responders. This is especially important for young Arkansans, with 19 people under the age of 25 dying from drug overdoses last year and about 20 percent of college-age students misusing some sort of opioid, according to data cited by the university. Having the tools to respond quickly can mean the difference between life and death, and similar efforts among many campuses and communities reveal a commitment to preventing more lives lost to substance abuse.

At the federal level, we must continue doing our part to stop these deadly drugs from reaching our communities in the first place. That is why I was proud to support the HALT Fentanyl Act, which was signed into law last year. This legislation permanently designates fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, giving law enforcement additional tools to hold accountable those who traffic this poison. While no single policy will solve the overdose crisis, this law helps protect Arkansas families.

The fight against the overdose crisis extends far beyond Washington, D.C. Coaches, teachers, parents, healthcare providers, first responders and community organizations all have an important role to play. The High School Broyles Award’s Coaches vs. Overdoses initiative is helping equip adults with the knowledge and strategies to bring fentanyl awareness and prevention efforts into Arkansas schools. This initiative is another good example of proactive, evolving approaches to keep young people safe.

Staying vigilant is and will remain critical.

This awareness month invites us to remember the lives taken and the devastating aftermath of overdoses, while recommitting ourselves to continue the fight. Working together, we can support those struggling with addiction, equip our communities with lifesaving resources and hold drug traffickers accountable. I will continue working with my colleagues and Arkansans across our state to save lives and protect our communities from fentanyl and other dangerous drugs.