Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness

October is "Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness" month in Texas. At HISD we believe in educating families and working together to maintain safe spaces for our students. Parents, we urge you to take some time to look over this information, research on your own, and begin talking to your kids about the dangers of substance abuse; including fentanyl.

Our best defense is prevention, and prevention needs to start early. It's never too soon to begin open discussions with your kids about medications and keeping a healthy body and mind.

If you need more support, please reach out to your campus counselor, and administrator, or any HISD staff member. We will get you the support you need.

• The Hallsville community has been impacted by fentanyl related deaths
• Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50-100 times more potent than morphine
• Often lethal with a little as 2 milligrams
• Over 1,672 deaths from fentanyl in 2021 in Texas; that's an increase of 89% compared to 2020
• Fentanyl is disguised by drug traffickers to look like legitimate prescription drugs and even candy
• Fentanyl is impacting people with and without substance use disorders

1. TALK about fentanyl - don't assume your family is safe. Make sure your child understands the risks of fentanyl and how even one pill can lead to accidental death.
2. Only take pills prescribed to you or that you personally purchased over the counter.
3. Carry Naloxone (Narcan) - Naloxone is available at many pharmacies without a prescription. It has no effect on someone that is not overdosing on opioids, but could be life saving if they are.

• Get Help: Texas Opioid Response Help Information: Explore other mental and behavioral health resources published by HHSC. This website includes links to information for emergencies that can stop opioid overdose, including fentanyl. https://txopioidresponse.org/
• Fentanyl Awareness Information: https://www.dea.gov/fentanylawareness
  
• Awareness for Parents: https://www.getsmartaboutdrugs.gov/content/one-pill-can-kill
  
• One Pill Can Kill campaign information: https://www.dea.gov/onepill
  
• CDC Facts About Fentanyl: https://www.cdc.gov/stopoverdose/fentanyl/index.html
• CDC Opioid Overdose Guidance: https://www.cdc.gov/opioids/pdf/Overdose-Event-Response.pdf
• NIH Facts About Fentanyl: https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/fentanyl
• Talk They Hear You- resources for parents/caregivers: https://www.samhsa.gov/talk-they-hear-you/parent-resources
  

Region 4 Andrews Center Behavioral Healthcare System

2323 West Front St.
Tyler, TX 75702-7747
Crisis phone: 877-934-2131
Main phone: 903-597-1351
http://www.andrewscenter.com

http://www.andrewscenter.com/substance-abuse-services
Resource Directory

For substance use disorder information, screening, or referrals, please contact:

East Texas Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
Longview Location - Main Office
708 Glencrest Lane
Longview, TX 75601
Direct phone: 903-753-7633 or 800-441-8639
https://www.etcada.com/

Resource Directory