New figures from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) reveal a significant decline in fentanyl poisoning deaths, showing a drop of nearly 20 percent.
In the 2022/23 period, 1,925 individuals in Texas died from fentanyl-related poisoning, which is a decrease of 438 from the previous year.
This 18 percent reduction covers the timeframe from July 31, 2022, to August 1, 2023.
This change comes after five years of rising deaths, where fentanyl-related fatalities surged over 600 percent from 2019 to 2023, resulting in more than 7,000 lives lost, as noted by the Office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
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“Every day, more than five Texans lose their lives to fentanyl, and we are intensifying our efforts to tackle this crisis affecting our state and beyond,” Abbott stated.
“It’s vital for Texans to unite in spreading awareness about this dangerous opioid. The information on this site will empower our communities to combat this drug. I appreciate the Texas DSHS for their dedication in making this data accessible to those fighting to keep our streets safe.”
DSHS Commissioner Dr. Jennifer Shuford highlighted the importance of data in addressing challenges. “Analyzing fentanyl-related deaths is crucial for developing effective responses, especially within the framework of Governor Abbott’s One Pill Kills campaign. My hope is that transparent information will prompt experts to devise innovative solutions.”
The One Pill Kills campaign, initiated by Abbott in 2022, aims to raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl—a potent synthetic opioid that has increasingly contaminated various drugs. The slogan reflects the lethal potential in just one pill laced with fentanyl.
This October is designated Fentanyl Awareness Month by Abbott.
Fentanyl, more powerful than heroin and morphine, has become the primary driver of overdose deaths among Americans aged 18 to 45. It is dangerously potent, with as little as two milligrams being fatal.
The CDC reports that in 2022, over 107,000 individuals succumbed to drug overdoses.
Addressing fentanyl trafficking will prominently feature in the upcoming presidential campaign between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.