According to the Baldwin County Drug Court Foundation, 90% of crimes in Baldwin County are linked to drugs or alcohol.

Drug overdoses are the leading cause of unnatural death in the county, according to the Baldwin County Coroner's Office (BCCO). In the BCCO's annual report for the fiscal year 2022-2023, over half of the drug-related deaths involved fentanyl.

Aug. 21 was National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day. Nationally, more than 200 people die each day from overdoses related to synthetic opioids, such as illegally manufactured fentanyl, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fentanyl is often mixed with drugs like heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine and can be made into pills that resemble other prescription opioids.

Highway 59 is a corridor for drug-related activity and crime, with most drugs coming from the Pensacola area, according to the sheriff's office.

The Mobile Regional Laboratory of the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences services eight counties in South Alabama, including Baldwin, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe and Washington. That's one laboratory testing drugs and other forensic evidence for eight counties. With Mobile being the second-largest county by population and Baldwin County the fourth, the heavy caseload means most arrests for drug possession or trafficking can take around two years to be tested. Some users and dealers may be out on bond before facing trial or receiving needed help, exposing others to drugs for roughly 730 days.

To combat this issue, the Foundation is hosting a fundraiser featuring Drew Pinsky, a nationally renowned addiction specialist and media personality, on Tuesday, Oct. 1, at the Daphne Civic Center. The event, open to the public, will feature a seated dinner by Naman's Catering and be emceed by local news anchor Chastity Byrd Riddick.

Pinsky, widely recognized for his work on shows like "Loveline," "Teen Mom" and "Celebrity Rehab," will bring his expertise in addiction medicine to the fundraiser. His presence highlights the importance of the Foundation's mission to reduce substance-related crime and promote drug education throughout Baldwin County.

Established in 2007, the Baldwin County Drug Court Foundation helps people with addiction return to productive lives. The Foundation's educational outreach has reached more than 9,000 middle school students, addressing the fact that the average age of first-time drug use is 13.

During the event, attendees will learn more about the Foundation's treatment programs, community outreach initiatives and its ongoing efforts to educate Baldwin County's youth about the dangers of drug use. The event will begin at 6 p.m., with tickets available online at www.baldwindrugcourt.com or by contacting Raina Macks at auburnt@hotmail.com.