Governor Greg Abbott has declared October 2025 as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month in Texas. The proclamation aims to increase public understanding of the risks associated with fentanyl and to encourage education on how to prevent related deaths.
“Across Texas and the United States, people unknowingly make a deadly decision by taking pills laced with fentanyl and lose their lives as a result,” said Governor Abbott. “That is why I launched the statewide, comprehensive ‘One Pill Kills’ campaign to educate the public on the deadly fentanyl crisis that endangers Texans of all ages. I encourage my fellow Texans to speak openly and have meaningful conversations about the dangers of fentanyl as we recognize Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month to help save lives and fight for a future free from fentanyl poisoning.”
Earlier this year, Governor Abbott introduced an online interactive map created by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). This tool allows Texans to find locations where they can obtain Naloxone (NARCAN), either for free or for purchase, as part of efforts under the “One Pill Kills” campaign. The resource is intended to help residents access NARCAN over-the-counter, which can reverse opioid overdoses and potentially save lives.
Recent data from DSHS indicates that since the start of the “One Pill Kills” campaign, there has been a significant decline in fentanyl poisoning deaths in Texas. From July 2024 through June 2025, fatalities decreased by more than 42% compared with the previous year. This reduction follows five consecutive years during which fentanyl-related deaths increased by over 600% between 2019 and 2023, resulting in more than 7,000 deaths across Texas during that period.
