03/16/2026
Cochise County Selected for National Fentanyl Awareness Pilot Program
Cochise County has been selected to participate in a national fentanyl awareness pilot program being developed in partnership with the Mayo Clinic and supported by the National Football League.
The initiative centers around a new educational app designed primarily for students, while also providing resources for parents and teachers. The app delivers short, engaging learning segments lasting three to five minutes that explain the dangers of fentanyl and the risks associated with counterfeit pills and drug-laced products. After each segment, users answer questions to reinforce what they have learned.
Teachers will also have the option to incorporate the material into classroom discussions, particularly in health-related courses. The program is designed to provide accessible, factual information in a format that resonates with younger audiences.
Cochise County was selected from across the United States to help test and provide feedback on the program before it is rolled out nationally. Local leaders believe the county’s willingness to pilot new initiatives and collaborate with community partners played a role in being chosen.
The program will first be introduced to the Cochise County Student Advisory Council as part of a soft launch. The council, made up of students from across the county, previously briefed state leadership on youth issues such as bullying and will now review the fentanyl awareness program. Students will provide feedback on the app’s content, usability, and effectiveness.
In addition to testing the program, members of the Student Advisory Council are expected to participate in creating public service announcements aimed at educating young people about fentanyl. Those PSAs could eventually be shared on a national level and may include participation from well-known public figures.
After the initial testing phase, the program will expand to five school districts within Cochise County. Local officials have already received support from the county’s Board of Supervisors, who approved moving forward after learning about the program’s goals and structure.
The official launch of the pilot could take place either during the first week of May or during Red Ribbon Week in October. During the launch period, students will be encouraged to use the app for one to two weeks either in classrooms or with their families at home.
Data collected during the pilot will help developers evaluate how students interact with the program and what improvements may be needed before it is introduced elsewhere. All information gathered will remain anonymous and will only be used to measure engagement and effectiveness.
The initiative aims to address the growing number of fentanyl-related deaths among young people. Many of the educational segments include impact stories from families who have lost loved ones to fentanyl poisoning, highlighting how easily dangerous substances can be hidden in counterfeit pills, candies, or other products.
The effort is being coordinated locally through the Cochise County School Superintendent’s Office, which played a key role in bringing the pilot program to the county and working with schools to make participation possible.
Local leaders say the goal is simple: provide students and families with clear, accurate information in a format that captures attention and encourages awareness.
By helping test the program and offering feedback during its early stages, Cochise County could play a key role in shaping a national effort to educate young people about the dangers of fentanyl.
Mia Longoria
Cochise County Voice
