Texas leaders and mothers who lost children to fentanyl gather for second awareness march

SAN ANTONIO – A handful of mothers who lost their children to fentanyl poisoning launched a massive movement that led to a long line of local, state and federal leaders pledging to do their part to end fentanyl poisoning.

“Two years ago, on June 11, 2022, I lost my youngest son, Cody, to illegal fentanyl poisoning. He was a beautiful young man,” Kathy Drago said.

“I will do that. I will be Jake’s voice,” said Martha Johnson, who lost her son to fentanyl poisoning.

“This is my nephew, Ryan Matthew Garcia Jr. He thought he was taking a Percocet, but it was laced with fentanyl,” Janet Zarate said.

These families took the bravest step and shared their pain and anger. And it didn’t take long for Texas leaders to hear their call from near and far.

In 2023, several mothers organized the first-ever fentanyl awareness walk, “Soles Walking 4 Souls.” Hundreds of people came and the managers who were there from the beginning were there again this year.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott called for action.

“You all know about fentanyl. Far more Texans don’t know about it. “So we have a big task ahead of us to educate all Texans across the state – and if we can do that, we will be far more successful in eliminating deaths,” Abbott said.

Every speaker reiterated that it is about all of our futures.

“Over the past three and a half years, our state troopers have seized over half a billion lethal doses of fentanyl across the country. “This is enough to kill every man, woman and child in America,” said Texas Department of Security Lt. Christopher Olivarez.

There is already a drug, Narcan, that reverses the effects of fentanyl or other opioids. But to save lives, people must wear it and know how to use it.

“Put her on her back. All you have to do is take that, stick it up their nose and press the red button,” said Dr. Bill Drees of UT Health San Antonio.

Narcan is available for free in many places. One way to get it is through UT Health San Antonio’s nursing school. Or email or call the Angel Mothers through the Soles Walking 4 Soles website.