San Antonio, October 15, 2025
News Summary
Governor Greg Abbott participated in the 3rd Annual Soles 4 Souls Fentanyl Awareness Walk in San Antonio, honoring families affected by the fentanyl crisis. He emphasized the need for continued efforts against fentanyl, highlighting recent data showing a decrease in fentanyl poisoning deaths in Texas. The event featured community leaders, personal stories from families impacted by fentanyl, and resources aimed at educating the public about the dangers of the drug. Abbott’s initiatives include designating October as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month and launching a Naloxone accessibility map.
San Antonio
Governor Greg Abbott attended the 3rd Annual Soles 4 Souls Fentanyl Awareness Walk in San Antonio to honor Texas families and community members and to reinforce ongoing anti-fentanyl efforts nationwide. Abbott emphasized the need to continue the movement against fentanyl until it is purged in the United States of America. State health data presented at the event showed a recent reversal in the trend of fentanyl poisoning deaths in Texas, while long-term totals remain high.
Key developments and facts
Governor Greg Abbott honored Texas families and community members at the 3rd Annual Soles 4 Souls Fentanyl Awareness Walk in San Antonio.
Abbott emphasized the need to continue the movement against fentanyl until it is purged in the United States of America.
The Texas Legislature passed House Bill 3144 in 2023, which designated every October as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month to educate Texans about fentanyl dangers.
Abbott proclaimed October 12-18, 2025, as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Week, focusing on educating Texas children about fentanyl and life-saving lessons.
Earlier this year, Abbott announced the launch of an online interactive map by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to help Texans locate life-saving Naloxone (NARCAN) for free or purchase.
Public health data presented
Data from DSHS indicates a 42% decrease in fentanyl poisoning deaths from July 2024 through June 2025 compared to the previous year, following five years of continual increases. At the same time, fentanyl-related poisoning deaths in Texas rose over 600% from 2019 to 2023, resulting in over 7,000 fatalities during that period. These statistics were cited as the reason for continued education, Naloxone accessibility, and community outreach.
Event scope and community response
Accompanying the Governor were San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz-Jones, Soles Walking 4 Souls Directors Kathy Drago and Christina Villagrana, Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar, and Police Chief William McManus, among others. The event gathered hundreds of participants to honor victims and learn life-saving information related to fentanyl.
The community initiative Soles Walking for Souls, launched by grieving parents, aims to raise awareness and prevent similar tragedies. The event highlighted personal stories from families affected by fentanyl, including Nici Goles and Martha Johnson, whose loved ones died from fentanyl-laced pills. Attendees received actionable information to help protect families from fentanyl-related dangers and were encouraged to educate their children about fentanyl, stressing that it can be found in various drugs, including common medications and vapes.
Prevention tools and campaigns
The One Pill Kills campaign aims to combat fentanyl poisonings and save lives through increased Naloxone availability. A resource fair at the awareness walk will provide Narcan and expert demonstrations on its use. These initiatives complement the DSHS interactive map and state proclamations intended to improve education, prevention, and access to life-saving treatments.
What attendees learned and took away
Each year, the event gathers hundreds of participants to honor victims and learn life-saving information related to fentanyl. Attendees are encouraged to educate their children about fentanyl, stressing that it can be found in various drugs, including common medications and vapes. The event provided distributions of Narcan and demonstrations so family members and community leaders could be prepared to respond to overdose situations.
Background and context
State-level legislative and public health actions in Texas in recent years have focused on raising awareness and expanding access to overdose-reversal tools. House Bill 3144 (2023) designated October as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month, and the Governor’s proclamation set aside a week in October 2025 for focused child and community education. The DSHS interactive map and the One Pill Kills campaign offer practical resources intended to reduce fatalities and increase preparedness.
Key features
| Feature | Detail | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Event | 3rd Annual Soles 4 Souls Fentanyl Awareness Walk in San Antonio | Local (San Antonio) |
| Governor’s emphasis | Continue movement against fentanyl until it is purged | Nationwide (United States of America) |
| Legislation | House Bill 3144 (designated October as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month) | State-level (Texas) |
| Proclamation | October 12-18, 2025 proclaimed as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Week | State-level (Texas) |
| Public health tool | DSHS interactive Naloxone map | State-level (Texas) |
| Campaign | One Pill Kills | State-level (Texas) |
Timeline
| Date/Time | Event | Status / Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | The Texas Legislature passed House Bill 3144, which designated every October as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month to educate Texans about fentanyl dangers. | State-level / Texas Legislature |
| July 2024 through June 2025 | Data from DSHS indicates a 42% decrease in fentanyl poisoning deaths from July 2024 through June 2025 compared to the previous year, following five years of continual increases. | State-level / DSHS |
| 2019 to 2023 | Fentanyl-related poisoning deaths in Texas rose over 600% from 2019 to 2023, resulting in over 7,000 fatalities. | State-level / DSHS |
| Earlier this year | Earlier this year, Abbott announced the launch of an online interactive map by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to help Texans locate life-saving Naloxone (NARCAN) for free or purchase. | State-level / DSHS |
| October 12-18, 2025 | Abbott proclaimed October 12-18, 2025, as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Week, focusing on educating Texas children about fentanyl and life-saving lessons. | State-level / Governor’s office |
State-level statistics (visual)
FAQ
Who did Governor Greg Abbott honor at the event?
Governor Greg Abbott honored Texas families and community members at the 3rd Annual Soles 4 Souls Fentanyl Awareness Walk in San Antonio.
What national goal did Abbott emphasize?
Abbott emphasized the need to continue the movement against fentanyl until it is purged in the United States of America.
What did the Texas Legislature do in 2023?
The Texas Legislature passed House Bill 3144 in 2023, which designated every October as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month to educate Texans about fentanyl dangers.
What proclamation did Abbott make for 2025?
Abbott proclaimed October 12-18, 2025, as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Week, focusing on educating Texas children about fentanyl and life-saving lessons.
What tool did Abbott announce earlier this year?
Earlier this year, Abbott announced the launch of an online interactive map by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to help Texans locate life-saving Naloxone (NARCAN) for free or purchase.
What recent change in fentanyl poisoning deaths did DSHS report?
Data from DSHS indicates a 42% decrease in fentanyl poisoning deaths from July 2024 through June 2025 compared to the previous year, following five years of continual increases.
What was the longer-term trend in Texas fentanyl deaths?
Fentanyl-related poisoning deaths in Texas rose over 600% from 2019 to 2023, resulting in over 7,000 fatalities.
What is the One Pill Kills campaign?
The ‘One Pill Kills’ campaign aims to combat fentanyl poisonings and save lives through increased Naloxone availability.
What resources were available at the event?
A resource fair at the awareness walk will provide Narcan and expert demonstrations on its use.
Which community initiative was highlighted?
The community initiative ‘Soles Walking for Souls,’ launched by grieving parents, aims to raise awareness and prevent similar tragedies.
Were personal stories shared at the event?
The event highlighted personal stories from families affected by fentanyl, including Nici Goles and Martha Johnson, whose loved ones died from fentanyl-laced pills.
What were attendees encouraged to do for prevention?
Attendees are encouraged to educate their children about fentanyl, stressing that it can be found in various drugs, including common medications and vapes.
How many people typically attend the event?
Each year, the event gathers hundreds of participants to honor victims and learn life-saving information related to fentanyl.
Who accompanied the Governor at the walk?
Accompanying the Governor were San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz-Jones, Soles Walking 4 Souls Directors Kathy Drago and Christina Villagrana, Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar, and Police Chief William McManus, among others.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
San Antonio’s Third Annual Soles Walking 4 Souls Event Raises Fentanyl Awareness
Additional Resources
- News 4 San Antonio: Governor Abbott and Mayor Jones to Address Soles Walking 4 Souls Fentanyl Awareness Event
- Wikipedia: Fentanyl
- Hoodline: Gov. Greg Abbott Honors Victims at San Antonio Fentanyl Awareness Walk, Highlights Progress in Combatting Drug Crisis
- Google Search: San Antonio Fentanyl
- KSAT: Fentanyl Awareness Walk in San Antonio to Unite Community, Offer Families Life-saving Information
- Google Scholar: Fentanyl awareness
- KENS5: Fentanyl Deaths Decline; Texas Families and Advocates Gather in San Antonio with Gov. Greg Abbott
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fentanyl
- News 4 San Antonio: Soles Walking 4 Souls: A Community United Against Fentanyl
- Google News: San Antonio Fentanyl event
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.
