On High Alert

Fighting back against fentanyl. One day at a time.

Since 2019, in an effort to stem the wave of overdose deaths, the SAO4 has been aggressively prosecuting suspected dealers in overdose deaths. The office has filed manslaughter charges in 50 cases, and so far, has obtained 26 convictions, with sentences ranging from five to 30 years.

In 2023, the SAO4 launched “On High Alert,” a fentanyl awareness campaign that aims to increase education about the dangerous narcotic, highlight its pervasiveness in the community, and warn of its deadly consequences. You can find all five videos here.

Drugs ranging from marijuana to heroin are often cut with fentanyl, and users are not aware of what they actually are ingesting. The office's goal with the multi-part video series is to educate the public and specifically reach parents and teens who we hope are having important conversations about the dangers of today’s street drugs. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 84% of teen overdose deaths in 2021 involved fentanyl. The CDC estimates 150 people die every day from overdoses related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl.

If you or someone you know struggles with substances, please call 1-800-662-4357 for support.