Local leaders speak out about the urgent need to educate community on fentanyl dangers

ODESSA, Texas (KMID/ KPEJ)- National Fentanyl Awareness Day aims to help bring awareness about the addictive synthetic opioid.

Our Ozzy Mora met with several local groups and leaders on their daily fight against this deadly drug.

According to the CDC, fentanyl poisoning is the leading cause of death in the U.S. for people ages 18 to 45.

“Where’s the help we want the help," said a local parent during a public meeting.  "We want to help our family members, but where’s the help?"

An urgent cry for help was the message many people delivered during the Odessa Police Department's monthly neighborhood watch meeting in April. 

Local advocates and police spoke about the urgent need to educate people on the dangers of the drug.

Corporal Steve LeSueur with OPD said they are constantly responding to overdoses in the area.

“A lot of young people take it not knowing there is fentanyl inside the drugs," said LeSueur. 

The Permian Basin Regional Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse or (PBRCADA) spoke at the public meeting. It's a group that offers resources and encourages people to live a drug free life.

According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, since 2019 there has been a 500 percent increase in fentanyl related deaths in Texas. 

“You think you are getting a cherry jellybean which is really a cherry jellybean that tastes like black licorice and that’s how the pills are distr...