News
‘One Pill Can Kill’: Allen County Coroner’s Office Hopes Campaign Becomes a Statewide Model
<p>A new public awareness campaign out of Allen County is tackling the fentanyl crisis head-on. The &#8220;One Pill Can Kill&#8221; initiative, led by Coroner Jon Brandenberger, aims to educate communities about the deadly risks of counterfeit pills and opioid misuse. Now, officials hope the effort can expand across Indiana.</p>
<h2>A County-Level Response to a Growing Crisis</h2>
<p>The Allen County Coroner’s Office, in collaboration with the county commissioners and RemedyLIVE, has launched a series of public service announcements highlighting the dangers of fentanyl. These efforts are backed by opioid settlement funds, providing a crucial resource in combating the epidemic.</p>
<p>Brandenberger, who also serves as president of the Indiana Coroners Association, is set to present the campaign&#8217;s framework to other counties, encouraging them to adopt similar initiatives.</p>
<p><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11211" src="https://budgyapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/‘One-Pill-Can-Kill.jpg" alt="‘One Pill Can Kill’" width="619" height="316" /></p>
<h2>A Blueprint for Other Communities</h2>
<p>Brandenberger emphasized the importance of leveraging available opioid settlement funds to support public education efforts.</p>
<p>“We were aware there were opioid funds, we were aware they were controlled by the commissioners,” he said. “I want to talk to them about how to approach the commissioners with a plan and they can have everything we’ve done.”</p>
<p>His goal is to provide other counties with a ready-made strategy, ensuring that local officials can implement similar programs with minimal barriers.</p>
<h2>The Fentanyl Threat and Public Awareness</h2>
<p>Law enforcement and health officials continue to warn the public about the increasing prevalence of fentanyl-laced pills. Many of these pills are counterfeit, made to resemble prescription medications but containing lethal doses of the synthetic opioid.</p>
<ul data-spread="false">
<li>Fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine.</li>
<li>Just 2 milligrams—the equivalent of a few grains of salt—can be fatal.</li>
<li>The DEA has reported that six out of ten counterfeit pills tested contain potentially lethal doses of fentanyl.</li>
</ul>
<p>The “One Pill Can Kill” campaign is designed to reinforce these facts, urging people to avoid any medication not prescribed directly by a doctor or dispensed by a licensed pharmacy.</p>
<h2>Personal Stories Drive the Message Home</h2>
<p>The campaign also features testimonials from families who have lost loved ones to fentanyl poisoning. One such story is that of a Fort Wayne mother who uses her late son’s birthday to raise awareness. These personal accounts add a powerful, emotional layer to the campaign, making the statistics more tangible for the public.</p>
<p>Brandenberger believes that with widespread adoption, education, and public service efforts like this one, Indiana communities can make significant progress in reducing opioid-related deaths.</p>