Austin News

Governor Greg Abbott paid tribute to the victims of the fentanyl crisis and recognized the efforts of advocates raising awareness about the issue at the Soles 4 Souls Fentanyl Awareness Walk in San Antonio. The event brought together Texas families, loved ones, community members, and state and local officials to shed light on the growing fentanyl problem.

During the event, Governor Abbott shared a personal story and expressed his commitment to combating the crisis: "On my desk in my office at the Capitol, I have a picture of Danica Kaprosy. 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. 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. 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 Abbott acknowledged the tireless efforts of fentanyl advocates and urged Texans to educate themselves and their communities about the dangers of fentanyl poisoning. In line with these efforts, Governor Abbott signed a law earlier this year designating October as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month in Texas.

The Governor was joined by 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, and other state and local officials. Together, they emphasized the importance of raising awareness and taking action to address the fentanyl crisis.

Governor Abbott has taken significant steps to tackle the fentanyl crisis in Texas, including launching the "One Pill Kills" public awareness campaign, signing laws to reclassify fentanyl deaths as poisonings and prosecute fentanyl deaths as murder, and enhancing penalties for the manufacturing and distribution of fentanyl. The Governor has also distributed naloxone (NARCAN) statewide to all county sheriff's offices and police departments in Texas and declared the fight against the fentanyl crisis as an emergency item for the 88th Legislative Session.

In addition, Governor Abbott hosted the One Pill Kills Summit, bringing together various stakeholders to discuss strategies for raising awareness and saving lives. These efforts demonstrate the Governor's commitment to addressing the fentanyl crisis and protecting Texas communities.

The Soles 4 Souls Fentanyl Awareness Walk served as a platform to honor the victims, recognize the advocacy work being done, and emphasize the need for continued awareness and action. Through collective efforts, Texas aims to combat the fentanyl crisis and prevent further loss of lives.

Click this link to access more information: https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-honors-fentanyl-victims-awareness-advocates-in-san-antonio