Governor Greg Abbott highlighted his efforts to stop Texas’ “growing fentanyl crisis” during a press conference last week in Houston.
The Texas Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) Houston crime lab has tested almost 13,700 lbs. of counterfeit drugs in the past 12 months and inventoried more than 85,000 seized drugs, including more than 9,700 deadly opioids like fentanyl, according to a press release. In Texas, almost 1,700 fentanyl-related deaths occurred in 2021 alone.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 80 to 100 times stronger than morphine. Just two milligrams of fentanyl can be fatal for some individuals.
Before the press conference, Abbott toured the DPS drug warehouse and crime lab and received a briefing from law enforcement officials on the fentanyl crisis and its impacts.
Abbott was joined at the conference by DPS Director Steve McCraw, Texas Public Safety Commission Chairman Steven Mach, Senator Joan Huffman, Senator Paul Bettencourt, Montgomery County Sheriff Rand Henderson, Houston Police Department Narcotics Commander Bryan Bennett, and DPS Crime Laboratory Chief Brady Mills and Seized Drug System Trainer Jennifer Hatch.
Officials at the press conference reminded Texas parents that they can play a significant role in reversing the fentanyl crisis by educating their children about the deadliness of the drug and how counterfeit prescription drugs can be laced with the deadly substance.
“Fentanyl deaths affect Texans across all demographics,” said Sen. Huffman. “Parents should be aware of fentanyl and educate their children about the deadliness of this drug. The legislature increased penalties against fentanyl manufacturing and distribution last session, but we will look to increase penalties even further this upcoming legislative session as a result of this growing crisis.”
The press release listed several initiatives to secure the border Abbott has undertaken as evidence that the governor is addressing the fentanyl crisis. Among the initiatives listed include “securing $4 billion in funding for Texas’ border security efforts,” launching Operation Lone Star, and increasing penalties for the manufacturing and distribution of fentanyl.