Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announces new measures to fight fentanyl epidemic

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Thursday two new initiatives to combat the growing fentanyl crisis in the state, according to his office. 

The governor unveiled a $10 million multimedia drug awareness initiative during a news conference at his One Pill Kills Summit in Austin. The campaign, carried out by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) seeks to raise awareness of the consequences of using the deadly drug, which claimed the lives of more than 2,000 Texans last year. 

As part of the second initiative, the governor seeks to distribute Narcan, a drug used to reverse or reduce the effects of opioids, to all 254 Texas counties through the Texas Division of Emergency Management.

The first 20,000 units of the medicine will be distributed to sheriff’s offices across the state in the coming weeks, the governor’s office said. 

"Thanks to President Joe Biden and his reckless open border policies, the historic levels of fentanyl flooding across our border remains the single deadliest drug threat Texas and our nation have ever seen," said Abbott. 

"With five Texans losing their lives every day to this clandestine killer, I launched our statewide 'One Pill Kills' campaign last fall to combat the growing fentanyl crisis wreaking havoc on innocent Texans and communities across our state,” he added.

“I am proud to be here today with so many strong voices leading the fight against the fentanyl crisis in Texas communities. Together, we will save more innocent lives from being lost to the scourge of fentanyl."

The measure comes two days after a 13-year-old North Texas student was revived with Narcan after he was unconscious from a possible opioid overdose. The incident is still under investigation. 

“If determined that the cause was an opioid overdose, CPD will continue to investigate where the drugs were procured. The national opioid crisis is affecting all cities in Texas, but the quick reaction and preparedness of the school district staff saved this student's life,” the district said.