DEA Brings Its “One Pill Can Kill Game Over” Tournament to New England for a First-of-Its-Kind Event
BOSTON – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s New England Field Division will team up with college esports teams from across New England to host the first of its kind, hybrid One Pill Can Kill Game Over Tournament. This event aims to meet a critical moment in time by using the esports platform to help educate young people about the dangers of fentanyl.
Twenty-two teenagers between the ages of 14 and 18 die every week from a drug poisoning or overdose death, according to a recent study by the New England Journal of Medicine. To more effectively reach this important audience, DEA has teamed up with actress, founder of the Devon Michael Foundation, and influencer Ava Michelle and eight esports teams across the region to take an innovative new approach to fentanyl outreach and awareness. With an overwhelming 97% of Americans between the ages of 12 and 17 engaged in video gaming, DEA is looking to reach young people where they often spend time – in the virtual world.
The One Pill Can Kill Game Over Tournament will be hosted by Clark University Esports on Thursday, June 6, 2024, from 7 to 9 p.m. ET on Twitch (twitch.tv/onepillcankill). Access to view the tournament will also be available at DEA One Pill Can Kill Game Over Tournament | DEA.gov. Joining Clark University for this Rocket League battle will be esports teams from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Boston University, Emerson College, Post University, University of New Hampshire, and the University of Southern Maine.
DEA will host an in-person pre-tournament program and live gameplay for invited guests at the state-of-the-art gaming center, All Systems Go, on Thursday, June 6, 2024, beginning at 4:30 p.m. Attendees will include high school aged students, community groups and dignitaries. Media should plan to arrive around 5:45 p.m. for b-roll opportunities ahead of the press event, which will include remarks from DEA Associate Administrator Jon DeLena, Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis, Ava Michele and more. All Systems Go gaming center is located at 225 Shrewsbury Street, Worcester, Mass., 02604.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, which is now involved in a majority of drug poisonings and overdose deaths. Fentanyl is 50 times more potent than heroin, and just two milligrams – the amount that can fit on the tip of a pencil – can be deadly. Often, people buy what they think is a legitimate prescription pill like Percocet or Xanax on social media, but it turns out, they’ve unknowingly purchased a fentanyl pill. DEA laboratory testing indicates 7 out of 10 fentanyl pills seized contain a potentially deadly dose. In 2023, DEA seized approximately 15.7 million potentially lethal doses of fentanyl in New England alone.
“I am thrilled we are able to team up with these amazing esports teams to host this One Pill Can Kill Game Over Tournament in New England and increase awareness about the dangers of fentanyl,” said DEA Associate Administrator Jon DeLena. “This event is extremely personal to me. I know how much my own kids enjoy playing video games, so knowing they are also learning valuable, life-saving information while doing what they love is so important. I want to encourage any family with a gamer to join us – either virtually or in-person – watch the competition and then talk about what you’ve learned. It could be the most important talk you have as a family.”
“Connecting with people in an environment where they are having fun and are open to learning has been an incredible experience. Raising awareness and providing education about the fentanyl epidemic is absolutely crucial—I genuinely believe we are saving lives.” - Ava Michelle Cota, Actress, and Founder, Devon Michael Foundation.
The One Pill Can Kill Game Over Tournament in New England will be the third tournament in this series. The first tournament was held in the DEA’s New Orleans Field Division in January and reached more than 285,500 viewers. The second tournament was hosted by DEA Philadelphia in March and was viewed by more than 146,800. B-roll and soundbites from the previous events is available here. The New England event is the first to offer an in-person outreach event ahead of the tournament.
DEA would like to thank the participating teams, All Systems Go, The Rendon Group, and the esports community for their involvement and support of DEA’s One Pill Can Kill Game Over Tournaments.
Additional information about the event can be found here.
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