San Antonio, October 13, 2025
News Summary
The third annual Soles Walking 4 Souls Fentanyl Awareness Walk took place in San Antonio, attended by Governor Greg Abbott and community leaders. Organized by mothers who lost loved ones to fentanyl overdoses, the event aimed to educate the public about the dangers of fentanyl while providing life-saving resources like Narcan. Attendance has grown significantly over the years, highlighting community efforts to combat the fentanyl crisis and promote drug safety education.
San Antonio
Governor Greg Abbott, Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones and other city leaders joined hundreds of people for the third annual Soles Walking 4 Souls Fentanyl Awareness Walk at The Greenline at Brooks City Base Pavilion on the South Side of San Antonio. The event focused on raising awareness of fentanyl dangers, sharing life-saving information, and connecting families with local resources.
Key details
The walk was organized by Soles Walking 4 Souls, an organization founded by mothers who lost family members to fentanyl overdoses. The event included educational materials about fentanyl, demonstrations of life-saving measures, and free Narcan distribution and training. Directors Kathy Drago and Christina Villagrana were present, and law enforcement leaders including Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar and San Antonio Police Chief William McManus attended. A local anchor, Courtney Friedman, served as emcee and the program included a resource fair connecting families with community services.
Personal stories and advocacy
Participants included family members who have lost loved ones to fentanyl-laced drugs. Nici Goles lost her son, Braden, to a single pill containing fentanyl in July 2020. Martha Johnson’s grandson, Jake Ryan, was poisoned by a pill laced with fentanyl he received from a friend in April 2021. Organizers and attendees used the event to urge families to keep life-saving tools at home and to begin drug-safety conversations with children at an early age. Nici Goles advocated for keeping Narcan in homes like a first aid kit.
Official actions and context
The governor officially declared October as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month in Texas, and state and local officials used the event to promote awareness and prevention efforts. Organizers noted that the awareness effort has grown significantly over three years, drawing hundreds of attendees. Officials also emphasized that San Antonio experienced no significant fentanyl overdose spike like that reported in Austin, while continuing to promote resources to prevent overdoses across the region.
Event services and outreach
The event offered free Narcan and demonstrations on its use, educational literature about fentanyl and overdose response, and a resource fair linking families with community services. Organizers encouraged parents to educate children about the dangers of fentanyl and drug use from a young age. A previous town hall on fentanyl awareness hosted by a local newsroom featured panelists, including Angel Moms and drug enforcement experts, and organizers continue to reference that forum in outreach efforts.
Why it matters
The walk combined policy-level action with community-level support: leaders issued a statewide awareness designation for October while family advocates and first responders shared practical prevention and response tools. Free Narcan distribution and training aimed to reduce fatal overdoses by increasing access to opioid reversal medication and by teaching people how to use it in emergency situations.
Event summary table
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Event name | Third annual Soles Walking 4 Souls Fentanyl Awareness Walk |
| Location | The Greenline at Brooks City Base Pavilion on the South Side of San Antonio |
| Notable attendees | Governor Greg Abbott; Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones; Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar; San Antonio Police Chief William McManus; Directors Kathy Drago and Christina Villagrana |
| Organizers | Soles Walking 4 Souls, founded by mothers who lost family members to fentanyl overdoses |
| Main services | Educational information, free Narcan and demonstrations, resource fair |
| Public messaging | Parents encouraged to educate children about the dangers of fentanyl and drug use from a young age |
Timeline of the awareness effort
| Date/time | Event | Status / Source |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | First Soles Walking 4 Souls awareness walk | Organizers report inaugural event |
| Year 2 | Second annual Soles Walking 4 Souls awareness walk | Organizers report expansion and increased attendance |
| Year 3 (current) | Third annual Soles Walking 4 Souls Fentanyl Awareness Walk at The Greenline at Brooks City Base Pavilion on the South Side of San Antonio | Event included officials, free Narcan, demonstrations, and a resource fair |
Attendance and outreach visual
Attendance growth over three years (descriptive)
FAQ
Who participated in the third annual Soles Walking 4 Souls Fentanyl Awareness Walk in San Antonio?
Governor Greg Abbott, Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones, and city leaders participated in the third annual Soles Walking 4 Souls Fentanyl Awareness Walk in San Antonio.
Who founded Soles Walking 4 Souls and why?
Soles Walking 4 Souls was founded by mothers who lost family members to fentanyl overdoses, aiming to raise awareness and prevent similar tragedies.
What official declaration was made regarding fentanyl awareness?
Governor Abbott officially declared October as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month in Texas.
Which directors of Soles Walking 4 Souls attended the event?
Directors of Soles Walking 4 Souls Kathy Drago and Christina Villagrana were also present at the event.
Which law enforcement leaders attended the walk?
Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar and San Antonio Police Chief William McManus attended the walk.
Where did the event take place?
The event took place at The Greenline at Brooks City Base Pavilion on the South Side of San Antonio.
Did participants share personal stories of loss?
Participants, including Angel Moms Nici Goles and Martha Johnson, shared personal stories of loss due to fentanyl-laced drugs.
What personal losses were described by Nici Goles and Martha Johnson?
Nici Goles lost her son, Braden, to a single pill containing fentanyl in July 2020.
What happened to Martha Johnson’s grandson?
Martha Johnson’s grandson, Jake Ryan, was poisoned by a pill laced with fentanyl he received from a friend in April 2021.
How has the awareness event changed over time?
The awareness event had grown significantly over three years, drawing hundreds of attendees.
What educational and life-saving measures were available at the event?
Educational information about fentanyl and life-saving measures was shared with attendees.
Was Narcan available at the event?
Free Narcan, a medication that reverses opioid overdoses, was available, along with demonstrations on its use.
What guidance was offered to parents?
Parents are encouraged to educate children about the dangers of fentanyl and drug use from a young age.
Who emceed the event and what other support was offered?
Courtney Friedman emceed the event, which included a resource fair connecting families with community services.
Was there a related town hall on fentanyl awareness?
A previous town hall on fentanyl awareness hosted by a local newsroom featured panelists, including Angel Moms and drug enforcement experts.
What did Nici Goles advocate regarding Narcan in homes?
Nici Goles advocated for keeping Narcan in homes like a first aid kit, highlighting its potential life-saving role.
Has San Antonio experienced a fentanyl overdose spike like another city?
San Antonio experienced no significant fentanyl overdose spike like that reported in Austin, but officials continue to promote awareness and resources to prevent overdoses.
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Additional Resources
- News 4 San Antonio: Governor Abbott and Mayor Jones to Address Awareness Event
- Wikipedia: Fentanyl
- KENS 5: Fentanyl Deaths Decline
- Google Search: Fentanyl Awareness San Antonio
- KSAT: Fentanyl Awareness Walk in San Antonio
- Google Scholar: Fentanyl Awareness San Antonio
- News 4 San Antonio: Soles Walking 4 Souls
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fentanyl Awareness
- San Antonio Current: Free Narcan Dispenser
- Google News: Fentanyl Awareness San Antonio
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
