Make the message clear.
Bring accurate information and personal stories into conversations with students, parents, and educators. We are preparing to expand our school presentations and learn from each experience.
Education & Outreach
Clear information, meaningful conversations, and practical ways to help students and families understand the risks.
Education before tragedyEvery student deserves
Every student deserves
to understand the risks.
Our goal is to improve access to age-appropriate education in Mississippi schools about fentanyl and other dangerous drugs. We want students and families to understand the risks, recognize an emergency, and know where to turn for help.
Share research and lived experience.
Richard and Kim review fentanyl-education policies, laws, and successful strategies used in other states and share that information with Mississippi legislators, educators, and community professionals. Their goal is to inform constructive, nonpartisan discussion about improving awareness and education in Mississippi.
Katie’s Light does not support or oppose political candidates or parties. Any legislative activity will remain limited and secondary to the organization’s charitable and educational programs.
Build a community coalition.
We want families, students, educators, health professionals, recovery and harm reduction organizations, first responders, and community leaders working together.
What we are learning from other states
Katie’s Light reviews other states’ education requirements and implementation experience, listens to Mississippi educators and public officials, and shares research and family experience to help inform discussion about improving fentanyl awareness and education.
How prevention and harm reduction fit together
We are grateful to the people saving lives through overdose response, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery support. Education and prevention belong alongside that work. Every life matters, including the lives of people currently struggling with substance use.
Know the risksInformation can start
Information can start
a life-saving conversation.
A pill’s appearance is not proof.
Illegally made fentanyl can be pressed into counterfeit pills. Someone may take a drug without knowing it contains fentanyl.
Read the CDC’s fentanyl facts ↗Medical and illicit fentanyl differ.
Fentanyl has legitimate medical uses. Illegally made fentanyl in the unregulated drug supply presents a serious poisoning and overdose risk.
Understand the difference ↗Know how to respond.
Unresponsiveness and slow or stopped breathing can signal an overdose. Call 911, give naloxone if available, and follow emergency instructions.
Learn overdose response from CDC ↗Sources reviewed September 2026. A dedicated Mississippi and Rankin County data section will be added after figures, reporting periods, and definitions are verified.
This can touch any family. We want these conversations in every community, regardless of income, background, or social standing.
Early demonstration · Everyone’s feedback is welcomeGame Changer.
Game Changer.
Learning through play.
Explore Game Changer V3: a mobile-friendly design with simple navigation, six short questions, a football drive or classic trivia, and an optional two-point family bonus. We invite parents, educators, students, school leaders, and community members to try this early demonstration and share feedback to help shape what comes next.
Play & review Game Changer V3 →Prototype demonstration. Six daily questions are condensed into one session. Progress and optional surveys are saved only in your browser; family participation is self-reported. District-wide dashboard figures are illustrative examples. Share review feedback at info@katieslight.org.