On National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day, the Montana Meth Project announced a major expansion of its efforts to address the escalating Fentanyl crisis. The organization is introducing the Montana Fentanyl Prevention Lesson and the “Not Even Once: One Pill Can Kill” campaign to educate teenagers about the severe dangers associated with Fentanyl.
Amy Rue, Executive Director of the Montana Meth Project, emphasized the urgency of the new initiative. “Experimentation with drugs has never been more deadly. Much like our past efforts with methamphetamine, we are now scaling up to address this critical public health crisis,” Rue said. “Young people are dying from Fentanyl poisoning after consuming substances they unknowingly thought were safe. It’s imperative that we educate teens about the risks of this lethal drug.”
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reports that seven out of ten illegal pills seized in 2023 contained a fatal dose of Fentanyl. In that year alone, the DEA confiscated over 79.5 million Fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills and nearly 12,000 pounds of Fentanyl powder, translating to 377 million lethal doses—enough to kill every American.
“Drug cartels, predominantly based in Mexico, continue to ramp up production and distribution of Fentanyl and methamphetamine. Our dedicated DEA agents are working tirelessly to remove these substances from our streets,” said Jonathan Pullen, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Rocky Mountain Field Division. “Fentanyl poisonings have become the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 45. We commend the Meth Project for its timely release of critical educational materials.”
The Meth Project’s new Fentanyl Prevention Lesson is available online at MontanaMeth.org. The 10-minute video, presented by a high school senior, uses a peer-to-peer approach to deliver research-based information on the dangers of Fentanyl to middle and high school students, as well as the broader public.
Additionally, the Meth Project is launching the “Not Even Once: One Pill Can Kill” social media campaign to raise awareness about the risks of Fentanyl. The campaign aims to inform and engage a wide audience through targeted online messaging.
Rue urged Montanans to support the initiative. “We invite everyone to help us in our mission to educate young people about the deadly risks of Fentanyl. Visit our website at MontanaMeth.org to learn more, talk to the young people in your life about the dangers of illegal drugs, and share this crucial message within your community,” Rue said. “One pill can indeed kill, and by becoming Not Even Once Champions, we can make a difference.”
**About the Montana Meth Project**
Founded in 2005 by businessman and philanthropist Tom Siebel, the Montana Meth Project is a large-scale prevention program aimed at reducing teen Meth and Fentanyl use through public service messaging and community outreach. Recognized as the 3rd most effective philanthropy globally by Barron’s, the organization has been instrumental in significantly reducing teen Meth use in Montana. For more information, visit [MontanaMeth.org](http://www.montanameth.org).
By: DNU staff