Governor Greg Abbott of Texas has announced a nearly 20% decrease in fentanyl-related deaths in the state over the past year as per data from the Department of State Health Services. The decrease follows five years of increases, and Abbott credited this progress to the state’s ‘One Pill Kills’ campaign aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of fentanyl. Last year, Abbott signed four laws to combat the fentanyl crisis, including House Bill 6, which makes supplying or making fentanyl resulting in death a criminal offense.
Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is significantly more potent than heroin, has become the deadliest drug threat in the country, with more than 1,900 Texans dying from fentanyl poisoning from August 2023 to July 2024. To combat overdoses, the FDA has approved selling naloxone, an opioid antagonist that reverses overdoses, without a prescription. Narcan, a nasal spray containing naloxone, is currently available over-the-counter at pharmacies to save lives during opioid emergencies.
The Drug Enforcement Administration has issued a public advisory about rainbow fentanyl, a dangerous trend where fentanyl is being marketed in colorful forms like pills, powder, and blocks. Despite claims that colors may indicate potency, the DEA warns that all forms of fentanyl are extremely dangerous. Efforts are ongoing to combat the trafficking of rainbow fentanyl and to address the root causes of the crisis. As Governor Abbott continues to fight the fentanyl epidemic, communities and individuals are urged to remain vigilant and seek immediate medical attention in overdose situations.
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