"Thanks to the work by brave parents and loved ones like those of you here today, we are making Texans aware of this terrible crisis."
– Governor Greg Abbott
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas – "Thanks to the work by brave parents and loved ones like those of you here today, we're making Texans aware of this terrible crisis,' said Gov. Greg Abbott yesterday, addressing more than 200 fentanyl advocates, families, community members, and other State & Local Officials, thanking everyone at the "Soles for Souls Fentanyl Awareness Walk" for their work to try and save more lives from being lost to the deadly drug.
Governor Abbott honored the hard work of Texas families, loved ones and community members who are on the front lines of raising awareness of the growing fentanyl crisis that is plaguing Texas and the nation .
"On my desk in my office at the Capitol, I have a picture of Danica Kaprosy," said Abbott at the Soles 4 Souls Fentanyl Awareness Walk in San Antonio.
"It reminds me of the stakes we face in this fight against the fentanyl crisis. Although we cannot bring her or the thousands of other people back who have fallen victim to this drug, we can work together to ensure this does not happen to more Texas families.
The Governor also urged Texans to educate themselves – as well as their families, loved ones and peers – about the dangers of fentanyl poisoning.
"Thank you all for being here tonight to honor those we have lost, but to also spread awareness so that we can save more Texans from the dangers of this deadly drug," said the Governor.
Earlier this year, Governor Abbott signed a law designating October as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month in Texas.
The Governor will was joined by State Representative John Lujan, Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar, San Antonio City Councilwoman Phyllis Viagran, Southwest Baptist Church Pastor Michael Lujan, KSAT-TV News Anchor Courtney Friedman, fentanyl advocates, and other State & Local Officials.
As Governor, Abbott has taken significant actions to address the growing fentanyl crisis plaguing Texas, and the nation, including:
- Launching the statewide comprehensive "One Pill Kills" public awareness campaign
- Signing pivotal laws to combat the fentanyl crisis in Texas, including reclassifying fentanyl deaths as poisonings and prosecuting fentanyl deaths as murder
- Signing a law enhancing penalties for the manufacturing and distribution of fentanyl
- Distributing life-saving naloxone (NARCAN) statewide to all 254 county sheriff’s offices in Texas and all Texas police departments
- Announcing fighting the fentanyl crisis as an emergency item for the 88th Legislative Session
- Hosting the One Pill Kills Summit with families, law enforcement, education leaders, healthcare professionals, and other fentanyl advocates for meaningful conversations about how Texas can raise awareness of this deadly crisis and save more lives
