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Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness

New fentanyl-related legislation was passed during the 88th Texas Legislature to raise awareness of fentanyl poisonings and to promote prevention efforts. Specifically, students and families need to know that other drugs may contain a deadly level of fentanyl. You cannot see, taste, or smell it.

It is almost impossible to tell if another drug is laced with fentanyl unless tested with a fentanyl testing strip. "One Pill Kills" is set up across the state to educate Texas on how to prevent, recognize, and reverse fentanyl poisonings. 

FENTANYL: THE LETHALITY AND THE PREVALENCE

  • Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50-100 times more potent than morphine, often lethal with as little as 2 milligrams.
  • Over 71,000 Americans died from fentanyl in 2021, an increase of 23 percent from the previous year.
  • Over that same period, Texas saw an 89 percent increase in fentanyl-related fatalities, with provisional data showing 1,672 deaths in 2021 as compared to 883 in 2020.
  • These are steep increases since 2018, when there were 214 fentanyl-related deaths in Texas.
  • Drug traffickers disguise pills that include dangerous fentanyl to look like legitimate prescription drugs, and even candy to target children.
  • Fentanyl is impacting individuals with and without substance use disorders. 


Parents, families, and educators, we must educate kids on the risks of fake prescription pills. Many may not be aware these pills are laced with fentanyl, a powerful opioid that can be deadly in small amounts. Get the facts: txopioidresponse.org/fentanyl

Please use the attached documents to help educate and spread awareness about the deadly opioid. Awareness saves lives. 

Contacts

Tiffany Whitsel

Assistant Superintendent of State & Federal Programs

Allen Sanders

Primary School Safety Specialist