What you need to know
In an email to parents Oct. 5, Superintendent Eric Wright confirmed the Hays County Sheriff's Office is formally investigating the student's death as a potential fentanyl overdose. The student, who has not yet been identified, died at home.
He added counselors and staff have been working hard to provide support for students and staff.
"The loss of such a young person is always a tragedy, regardless of cause, and we are heartbroken," Wright wrote in the email.
The context
The district has experienced continued tragedies after losing six students to fentanyl since July 2022, which has prompted the creation of a multiagency taskforce including the Drug Enforcement Agency.
Since then, the district has also increased the presence of Narcan on its campuses. Narcan, also known as naloxone, is the antidote for opioid overdoses.
In addition to the seven overdoses, district officials have also confirmed that during the 2022-23 school year, Narcan had to be administered seven times on campuses to save students.
Get involved
The school district has also partnered with local law enforcement agencies and parents to raise awareness about fentanyl. HCISD mother Janel Rodriguez started the Forever 15 Project after her 15-year-old son died from a fentanyl overdose, also in an effort to raise awareness.
To learn more about fentanyl, consider these resources:
