Austin News

Governor Greg Abbott has announced that Texas' "One Pill Kills" multimedia campaign has achieved over 1.5 billion impressions since its launch in September 2023. This figure nearly doubles the initial projections for the campaign, which utilizes a variety of media platforms including social media, podcasts, digital displays, and billboards. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) plans to continue this initiative through August 2025.

"Fentanyl is the single deadliest drug crisis our state—and our nation—has ever encountered," Governor Abbott stated. He emphasized the importance of educating Texans on fentanyl's dangers through the "One Pill Kills" campaign, which aims to save lives by raising awareness about the risks associated with fentanyl use.

Trina Ita, HHSC Deputy Executive Commissioner of Behavioral Health Services, highlighted the campaign's life-saving potential: “We can save lives by educating people about the risks of fentanyl and the fact that even one pill can kill.” She reiterated that preventing fentanyl poisonings is crucial to keeping families from losing loved ones.

The campaign was initially introduced at Governor Abbott's One Pill Kills Summit in April 2023 as part of a statewide effort to educate Texans on how to prevent and respond to fentanyl poisonings. An additional $2.5 million has been allocated for continuing these efforts into FY 2025.

Efforts include using digital and print media such as posters and flyers to reach vulnerable groups like high school and college students. Public service announcements are also being broadcasted across radio and TV stations throughout Texas. The focus will be particularly strong in 19 counties with high reported numbers of fentanyl deaths: Bexar, Brazoria, Cameron, Collin, Dallas, Denton, El Paso, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Hays, Hidalgo, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker Tarrant Travis Williamson.

Additionally HHSC partners with University Texas Health Science Center San Antonio manage Naloxone Texas program providing education on preventing fentanyl poisonings organizations can order naloxone access response training

More information on safety measures can be found at OnePillKillsTX.com.