This week, Attorney General Lynn Fitch, in collaboration with the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and the Andrew Jackson Council of the Boy Scouts of America, hosted Scout Out Opioids, a program to raise awareness with Scouts and their families of the dangers of opioids and offer techniques for reducing opioid abuse and misuse for them and their loved ones.
“The opioid epidemic has harmed and stolen too many lives,” said Fitch. “We are dedicated to ensuring that the next generation is trained on the dangers of opioid abuse and misuse and equipped with the tools and techniques to ensure they and their loved ones stay safe. I am grateful for the continued partnership with the Boy Scouts of America and the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics for their help in reaching these young leaders.”
As part of Scout Out Opioids, Scouts attending Winter Camp at Hood Scout Reservation heard from experts from the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and the Attorney General’s Office on opioid addiction and abuse.
“Multi-agency and diverse discipline partnerships are critically important as we face multifaceted challenges emanating from today’s drug culture,” said Colonel Steven Maxwell, Director of Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics. “Educating Mississippians about the dangers associated with the use or illicit drugs and misuse of prescription drugs, along with the uninformed use of legally purchased drugs is a key element in the growing partnership between the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office and MBN.”
The Attorney General’s Office also distributed hundreds of Fentanyl Harm Prevention Kits for parents, which includes two fentanyl test strips, one drug disposal bag used to deactivate unused or expired drugs, and a pill identification card. For their participation, scouts received a Scout Out Opioids patch.
“This week, the Andrew Jackson Council was able to present leadership from the Attorney General’s Office of Mississippi and inform more than 550 Scouts and Scouters of the challenges that face our youth through opioid and over the counter products like vaping,” said Kenneth P. Kercheval, Scout Executive and CEO of Boy Scouts of America-Andrew Jackson Council. “The presentation was captive and informative to all that were present. Thanks to Attorney General Lynn Fitch and her office, all Scouts left with a kit of ways to protect themselves and their friends, educate their parents, a drug disposal bag, and of course, a patch. It is in our Scout Oath to be physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight. We were proud to be able to partner in the delivery of this presentation. Colonel Steven Maxwell, Director of the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics was passionate and straightforward to our Scouts. He certainly had their attention and appreciation. I can’t help but think that we saved lives this week.”
In October, General Fitch’s office unveiled One Pill Can Kill, an effort to educate, support and empower Mississippians on how to protect oneself and loved ones from fentanyl. As part of the initiative, General Fitch’s office has distributed thousands of the Fentanyl Harm Prevention Kits through schools and community organizations across the state.
If you would like a Fentanyl Harm Prevention Kit or your group would like some to distribute, please contact us at onepill@ago.ms.gov.
