The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is intensifying its One Pill Kills public awareness campaign starting today, coinciding with Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month. This initiative was established through House Bill 3144, signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott last year. The bill designates October as a month dedicated to raising awareness and educating the public about the dangers of fentanyl and the importance of opioid poisoning reversal medication.
“Fentanyl is a clandestine killer, and it is now more important than ever that we talk to our families, children, friends and loved ones about just how prevalent it is in communities across Texas,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “This month, and really every month, we must do everything we can to get the word out about this deadly drug in order to save lives.”
Throughout October, DPS will release a series of social media videos aimed at educating Texans on the dangers of fentanyl and directing them to resources available through the One Pill Kills (OPK) campaign. Governor Abbott launched One Pill Kills in 2022 to educate Texans on preventing, recognizing, and reversing fentanyl poisonings.
DPS will also continue other OPK awareness efforts such as updating public service announcements aired in over 180 driver license offices statewide, placing educational signage in more than 350 public-facing DPS buildings across Texas, and maintaining a dedicated webpage with resources and information about the campaign. More details can be found at www.dps.texas.gov/onepillkills.
Additionally, DPS reminds Texans about its Safety Education team which offers specialized programming for schools, churches, community groups, and other organizations interested in learning more about the OPK campaign and fentanyl dangers. These presentations are customizable for various audiences and age groups and are available free of charge. For more information or to contact a Safety Education team member in your area, use the drop-down menu on their website.
Fentanyl is described as a synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin. Illicitly manufactured fentanyl has become widespread and is often mixed with other drugs like heroin, cocaine or counterfeit prescription pills. Since Operation Lone Star began in 2021, DPS has seized over half a billion lethal doses of fentanyl—enough to kill every person in America.
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