~ San Antonio, Texas- Governor Greg Abbott, along with other state and local officials, gathered yesterday to honor the hard work of Texas families and community members in raising awareness of the nationwide fentanyl crisis. The 3rd Annual "Soles 4 Souls" Fentanyl Awareness Walk was held to continue the fight against this deadly drug.

During the event, Governor Abbott spoke about the importance of eradicating fentanyl from the United States. "We will continue to grow this movement until we purge fentanyl forever in the United States of America," he stated. "There's an unfortunate fact that we all must understand—there's more work to be done." He urged attendees to spread the message they learned at the walk and make their communities safer.

Joining Governor Abbott at the walk were San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz-Jones, "Soles Walking 4 Souls" Directors Kathy Drago and Christina Villagrana, Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar, San Antonio Police Department Chief of Police William McManus, KSAT-TV News Anchor Courtney Friedman, and other advocates for fentanyl poisoning awareness.

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The annual walk is just one part of Texas' efforts to combat fentanyl. In 2023, the Texas Legislature passed House Bill 3144 which was signed into law by Governor Abbott. This bill proclaims every October as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month in order to educate Texans about the dangers of fentanyl and save lives. Additionally, October 12-18 has been designated as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Week by Governor Abbott to teach children about this deadly drug and how to protect themselves.

Earlier this year, Governor Abbott announced the launch of an online interactive map by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) that shows where Texans can obtain free or purchase life-saving Naloxone (NARCAN) as part of the statewide "One Pill Kills" campaign. This tool aims to prevent fentanyl poisonings and save lives.

The impact of Texas' efforts can already be seen. According to data published by DSHS on the Texas fentanyl data dashboard, fentanyl poisoning deaths from July 2024 through June 2025 decreased by more than 42% compared to the previous 12 months. This is a significant decrease after five years of increasing numbers, which saw fentanyl-related poisoning deaths in Texas rise over 600% from 2019 to 2023, claiming the lives of over 7,000 Texans.

The "Soles 4 Souls" Fentanyl Awareness Walk was a powerful reminder of the importance of raising awareness and taking action against this deadly drug. With continued efforts and education, Texas is making strides in protecting its citizens from the dangers of fentanyl.

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