FAYETTVILLE, Ark. (KTHV) -- The student government at the University of Arkansas said they're seeing a growing number of their classmates using drugs and dying from drug overdoses so they decided it was time to take a stand.
The Associated Student Government at the University of Arkansas is stepping up to save their campus. On Monday morning, the proclamation was signed for the first ever Opioid and Substance Abuse Awareness Week at the university.
Trevor Villines, Director of External Relations for the Student Government, said the age group hit the hardest by the drug epidemic is 18 to 25 year olds. He said that's the majority of the age group on their campus so he knew they had to do something.
“We have three events this week, the kick off was today, we have a panel discussion Thursday, and we have a drug take back on Saturday,” Villines said.
He said they’ve had students die and countless others have had to leave the University and some have even died in recovery.
“Some make it back and some don't. This is about the lives we've lost and the one's we can save,” he said.
The student government said they'll be in and around campus all week to reach as many students as they can.
Senior Natalie Councs feels saving students now will help save the future.
“I really believe there will be so many lives saved from these efforts and from allowing people to know resources and allowing people to be educated so they're never involved in drug use in the first place. I think what the University of Arkansas is doing right now is something that's going to impact more than just this campus, “ she said.
Arkansas Lieutenant Governor Tim Griffin and State Representative Greg Leding showed up in support. They both said they want the students to know they're behind them.
“This is so important because it's the students who see this every day saying we're going to take a stand a raise awareness and I applaud them,” Griffin said.
“Anytime you have young students like the ones at the University of Fayetteville, I think it's important to support what they're doing,” Leding said.
Governor Asa Hutchinson is also in support. He said by putting kids first, it'll save lives.