SAN ANTONIO – Texas has lost 7,000 innocent lives to fentanyl poisoning since 2019, according to the Texas Workforce Commission. This crisis affects families and communities across the state.
Fentanyl’s deadly strength and where it hides
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid, often prescribed for severe pain. But illicit fentanyl is being mixed into other drugs to boost potency without users knowing. Just two milligrams can be deadly, depending on body size and tolerance.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration warns that fentanyl’s strength makes it a leading cause of overdose deaths nationwide. Counterfeit pills have been found with doses more than twice the lethal amount.
How naloxone saves lives in the fentanyl crisis
Fentanyl acts fast, producing euphoria, pain relief and sedation. But overdose or poising can cause respiratory failure, coma and death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say synthetic opioids like fentanyl drive most overdose deaths in the U.S.
Naloxone, with the brand name Narcan, can reverse an opioid overdose quickly by blocking opioid receptors and restoring breathing. It works for 30 to 90 minutes but may require multiple doses. Calling 911 remains critical to get immediate medical help.
KSAT Community Town Hall: Fentanyl poisoning: Know the truth, save a life
At 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 7, Courtney Friedman will host a live discussion titled “Fentanyl poisoning: Know the truth, save a life.”…