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During the summer of 2022, the communities in Hays CISD began to see an increase in overdoses, poisonings, and deaths related to fentanyl. Illicitly manufactured fentanyl is often the ingredient used in counterfeit pills purchased on the street – sold as something else like Xanax, Percocet, or oxycodone. Quite often, in cases involving fentanyl, people who take the drug have no idea they are taking it. In the drug trade, fentanyl is a cheap alternative to other synthetic opioids and it takes so very little to kill.Sadly, during the summer and first week of school in 2022, four Hays CISD students died from fentanyl poisoning, or suspected poisoning. By the end of the 2022 - 2023 school year, the number of Hays CISD students who died from fentanyl poisoning had risen to six. Additionally, students have overdosed on the drug both at school and at home. Given the direct effect on our school district and our students, Hays CISD has committed to keeping the fentanyl conversation open and ongoing.
"I'm worried. We take all safety and security issues very seriously, but this one is especially concerning. We must treat the fentanyl crisis with urgency," said Superintendent Dr. Eric Wright.
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To keep the campaign fresh, Hays CISD updated it's general Fighting Fentanyl poster. These posters are displayes throughout the district at secondary campuses.
Download the poster in English
Download the poster in Spanish
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Hays CISD Communication, Safety & Security teams earn statewide honor for fentanyl awareness campaignA year-long, collaborative Hays CISD campaign that helped spread awareness of the dangers of fentanyl use has generated additional statewide praise for its effort in keeping students safe! On Feb. 28, Hays CISD was named as a Crystal Commendation Award winner in the Marketing category at the 2024 Texas School Public Relations Association (TSPRA) Star Awards ceremony in Sugar Land. This honor was awarded to Hays CISD’s Communication and Safety and Security teams for their efforts in producing “Fighting Fentanyl: An Accidental Campaign” during the 2022-2023 school year.The campaign began in fall 2022 after three Hays CISD students died as a result of fentanyl overdoses in a span of approximately four weeks. Over the course of the 2022-23 school year, Hays CISD’s Communication team worked hand-in-hand with our Safety and Security department to create flyers, posters, letters to parents and videos that not only exposed the dangers of fentanyl use, but also how use of the drug can forever impact students’ families, friends and loved ones."These awards raise the profile of this important and life-saving campaign,” said Hays CISD Chief Communication Officer Tim Savoy. “School districts across Texas – and the nation –can take note and use these materials to save the lives of young people.”Read the Fighting Fentanyl First Year Report online.
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Secondary Schools
View or download the Poster in English
View or download the Poster en EspañolElementary Schools
View or download the Poster in English
View or download the Poster en Español
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Hays CISD is producing and releasing a series of educational videos featuring local families and people who are affected by the fentanyl crisis. These videos also feature those in our community who are on the front lines fighting. As the video episodes are completed, they will be published online here. Additionally, some may be posted on social media and played for students in classes.
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Through the Forever 15 Project, families of Hays CISD students who died from fentanyl poisoning raised money to purchase a billboard that brings awareness to the crisis. https://www.forever15project.org/
"We lost our son, Noah, on August 21, 2022 to Fentanyl poisoning. We do not want any other parent, family member or friend to experience what we have. Because of this tragedy, we started the Forever15Project to spread awareness and to provide resources for those who are at risk or who know someone at risk and to honor those who have been lost." - Brandon & Janel
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As part of an end-of-year push to keep students thinking about the dangers of fentanyl during the summer months, Hays CISD will host in-person fentanyl awareness assemblies for students at all middle schools and high schools. In the district's experience, the most dangerous times for students who have died from fentanyl poisoning are during the long breaks from school. During the summer of 2022, three Hays CISD students died. A fourth student died less than one week after the summer ended.
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HAYS CISD ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT AND THSCA BRING OPIOID REDUCTION PROGRAM TO THE COMMUNITY “Coaches vs Overdoses” program designed to combat the opioid epidemic and educate parents and students. San Marcos, Texas (September 11, 2023) – The Texas High School Coaches Association and Hays Consolidated Independent School District are partnering with the Safety Blitz Foundation to bring the Coaches vs Overdoses program to the parents and students of Hays CISD. In September 2023, the Hays CISD athletic program was the first district in the state this year to launch the program to their community. The Coaches vs Overdoses program includes educational materials that will be distributed electronically to parents and students and the distribution of a simple and convenient drug disposal tool at the district’s varsity football games. This program aims to curb the opioid epidemic that is devastating Texas communities and destroying young lives.
The Texas High School Coaches Association is proud to announce that home football games on October 26, 27, and 28 will serve as Texas’s kickoff to National Drug Take Back Day. Partnering with the Safety Blitz Foundation's Coaches vs. Overdoses program, coaches will be provided a simple, evidence-based prevention, education, and drug disposal campaign. The campaign includes opioid misuse and overdose prevention materials and public service announcements from Hall of Fame athletes.
Click here to view/download/print the Coaches vs Overdoses Prevention Playbook (pdf).
