Houston, TX – The war against fentanyl has reached Texas, as drug dealers continue to smuggle the deadly substance across the border. The painkiller, which is up to 100 times more potent than morphine, has become a growing problem in the Houston area.
According to the CDC, drug overdoses are now the leading cause of death among Americans aged 18-45, with fentanyl-related deaths on the rise.
One family in Houston is mourning the loss of their daughter, who died after taking a single pill laced with fentanyl. The 18-year-old was found unresponsive in her bedroom on Christmas Eve morning. Preliminary toxicology reports suggested that fentanyl was in her system.
The tight-knit family had heard of fentanyl prior to their daughter’s death but never imagined it would impact their lives. “I thought it was mostly for heroin and cocaine, and things I never thought would be an issue in our house,” said Nancy Fowler.
Drug dealers often mix fentanyl into pills, which can look identical to prescription medication like Percocet. Authorities say that social media has become a popular platform for drug dealers to peddle their wares.
Experts believe that most fentanyl in the United States is smuggled in by cartel members across the southern border. Using diversion tactics, smugglers have large groups of illegal migrants cross the border at one location, while illegal drugs come across somewhere else and are eventually transported to cities across the country.
Texas lawmakers are now trying to pass a bill that would classify fentanyl overdose deaths as poisonings, which could result in drug dealers being charged with murder. In addition, a bill that would legalize fentanyl-testing strips is also being considered.
The Fowlers are working with Texas lawmakers in support of the legalization of fentanyl-testing strips. They hope that by raising awareness about the dangers of fentanyl, they can help prevent other families from experiencing the same pain they are going through. “No parent should have to talk about their child in the past tense,” said Nancy.
