SAN ANTONIO, Texas —
On Sunday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott joined numerous San Antonio residents and families mourning their losses to shine a light on the serious issue of fentanyl addiction. He referred to this synthetic opioid as a “killer-type drug,” commending “angel moms” for their advocacy that has led to changes in how fentanyl-related deaths are classified, now recognized as homicides. The gathering, organized by the group Souls Walking for Souls, included a vigil, Narcan distribution, and calls for accountability during October, which Texas observes as Fentanyl Addiction Awareness Month.
Abbott began the event hosted by Souls Walking for Souls, a group formed by mothers who lost children to fentanyl poisoning. He acknowledged the vital role these women play in advocating for change. “Thanks to the education of angel moms, fentanyl is no longer just seen as an overdose; it’s recognized as a murder-type drug,” he stated.
The governor elaborated, explaining, “We have redefined the death certificate to reflect fentanyl intoxication instead of an overdose. This reclassification means that anyone who gives fentanyl to someone who dies from it can face murder charges.”
He shared the stage with San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones, Police Chief William P. McManus, Bexar County Judge Peter Saccai, and Lt. Chris Olivarez from the Department of Public Safety’s Highway Patrol.
The event featured a memorial honoring lives lost to fentanyl and other drugs, coordinated by Montgomery County Overdose Prevention Operations (M-COPE), in addition to various resource booths that provided information on Narcan, education on fentanyl test strips, mental health support, and local recovery resources.
This annual walk to raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl incorporated live music and food stalls for attendees. During the event, Abbott applauded the work the angel moms have been doing and referenced his recent declaration for October as Fentanyl Addiction Awareness Month. He has been part of this event since its beginning and initiated a statewide campaign called “One Pill Will Kill You” back in 2020.
He underscored the significance of these awareness campaigns, highlighting a concerning trend: “People are unknowingly choosing to take fentanyl-laced pills and are losing their lives because of it. This year, President Donald J. Trump signed the HALT Fentanyl Act, marking a crucial step in combating the fentanyl crisis. This legislation makes temporary scheduling orders for fentanyl-related substances permanent, which aids law enforcement in keeping these incredibly dangerous drugs off our streets.”
According to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), the deadly synthetic opioid claimed 1,231 lives in Texas from July 2024 to June 2025, a decrease from 2,151 fentanyl-related deaths the previous year. This more than 40% reduction might suggest that awareness efforts like the ones from Souls Walking for Souls are making a difference in the state.
