Opinion / Education
The Texas border with Mexico is not just a line on a map—it’s a frontline in a deadly battle against opioid overdoses fueled by the relentless influx of fentanyl.
Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid exponentially more potent and lethal than heroin, has turned the Lone Star State into a hotspot for overdose deaths, claiming lives and shattering communities at an alarming rate. While the combined efforts of Gov. Abbott and President Trump are making significant making progress in closing the porous border, more needs to be done.
Fentanyl’s arrival across the Texas-Mexico border is no secret. U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported seizing over 43,000 pounds of fentanyl in the fiscal year 2023 alone, much of it intercepted at Texas ports of entry. But what slips through is catastrophic.
The Drug Enforcement Administration warns that just two milligrams of fentanyl—about the weight of a few grains of salt—can be lethal. Cartels exploit this potency, mixing fentanyl into counterfeit pills or other drugs, leaving users unaware of the danger until it’s too late. In Texas, the consequences are stark — The Travis County Medical Examiner reported a 599% increase in fentanyl deaths from 2020 to 2022.
Families up and down the state are burying loved ones, from teenagers experimenting with pills to veterans battling chronic pain.
In response, Texas communities are taking action. Arlington has begun providing Narcan to restaurants and hotels to fight the epidemic of overdoses. In Dallas, free Narcan (a brand name for naloxone) is being distributed from free vending machines in colleges and bars. EL Paso is also stocking naloxone on school campuses. These initiatives are already saving lives.
Still, access to naloxone in Texas remains woefully inadequate. First responders and community health workers often carry it, but they often do not have enough supply. Meanwhile, stigma and cost—around $20 to $50 per dose without insurance—deter broader adoption among the public and businesses. This is unacceptable. Lives are on the line.
Expanding naloxone access requires bold action. First, the state should fund a massive distribution program targeting border counties. Free naloxone kits should be available at community centers, schools, churches, and border patrol stations—places where people gather and where overdoses are most likely to occur. Mobile clinics could deliver the drug directly to remote areas, ensuring no Texan is too far from help.
Second, Texas should partner with federal agencies to equip border security personnel with naloxone. Agents encountering migrants or intercepting drug shipments are often the first to witness overdoses. Arming them with this tool could save lives on the spot.
Education is equally critical. Public awareness campaigns in English and Spanish should flood border communities with information on how to recognize an overdose and use naloxone. Training programs for teachers, librarians, and even bar staff—modeled after successful initiatives in cities like Austin—could turn ordinary citizens into first responders. And let’s dispel the myth that naloxone enables drug use. Studies show it doesn’t increase risky behavior; it simply keeps people alive long enough to seek treatment.
The cost of inaction is too high. Fentanyl’s infiltration threatens not just Texas but the nation, as the state serves as a gateway for the drug’s spread. By prioritizing naloxone, Texas can lead the way in overdose prevention, setting a precedent for other border states like Arizona and California.
Critics might argue that resources should focus on stopping fentanyl at its source. Fair enough—border security and interdiction are vital. But we can’t ignore the casualties piling up today while we fight that war. Texas prides itself on protecting its own, and every dose distributed is a chance to save a son, a mother, or a friend. Let’s make it happen before more lives are lost.
A.J. Louderback is a fifth-generation Texan and Air Force veteran who has spent over 40 years in law enforcement. He represents Texas House District 30 in the Texas Legislature and previously served as Jackson County Sheriff.
