Parents and activists push for ISD CFB change after fentanyl overdose

Lilia Astudillo is one of several concerned parents who met with the acting director of the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District on Monday afternoon.

According to her, she met with the district for the first time.

Earlier in the day, the mother-of-six spoke to NBC 5 at her home, where she was preparing for the rose garden. For her, the prayer will be the moment when she releases her son Jose “Beto” López.

The 14-year-old is one of three Carrollton teens killed by fentanyl poisoning in six months, according to police, linked to two adult dealers.

Astudillo tearfully admits that her son, who was a student at Long High School, started acting up, running away three times. She said she tried to seek help from his school and the police, but did not receive it.

In November, she said she found Beto unconscious in his bedroom. He took a pill with a lethal amount of fentanyl.

“Do you know what pain is?” she asked. “Losing a child. It’s a pain I’ve never felt before.”

She speaks out despite criticism in the hope of helping others.

Community activist Carlos Quintanilla brought together a group of concerned parents, including Astudillo, for a meeting. They ask the district to test students for drugs with the consent of their parents.

They also want to increase surveillance in schools, including in toilets, set up a fund to cover drug rehabilitation costs, and set up an anonymous “eye spy” hotline.

CFB ISD allowed NBC 5 at R.L. High School Turner to show part of his struggle with fentanyl, including red containers of narcan. A spray that, if applied immediately, can save lives in case of overdose. Last week, an R.L. Turner student was revived after being dosed after being found unconscious in the bathroom.

There are also green leaflets with information about the highly addictive and deadly drug posted in boys’ and girls’ restrooms on middle and high school campuses.

The district is calling on parents to help in the fight.

“You are the CEO of your home,” said Jo Gillen, who oversees advisory services for the county. “You can ask for cell phone access codes. You can learn about their social media platforms to know where they are going and where they are. You are a parent, don’t be afraid of it.”

Gillen said the district also has two licensed chemical addiction counselors available to students. The district told NBC 5 last week that they added resources to their website for parents and students to educate them about the dangers of fentanyl.

WHAT IS NARKAN?

According to the manufacturer, “Narcan Nasal Spray is a prescription medication used to treat known or suspected emergency opioid overdose with signs of breathing problems and severe drowsiness or inability to respond.”

The active ingredient in Narcan is naloxone hydrochloride. Narcan is a brand name for a device that delivers naloxone into the nasal cavity.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, naloxone is an FDA-approved opioid antagonist medication that is used to treat opioid overdose. SAMHSA stated that naloxone is a temporary treatment and its effects do not last long, so it is critical to seek medical attention as soon as possible after administering or receiving naloxone.

Marin Wolf of The Dallas Morning New talks to NBC 5 about lifesaving training.

WHAT IS FENTANIL?

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. Just two milligrams of fentanyl, which is equal to 10-15 grains of table salt, is considered a lethal dose.

Without laboratory testing, it is impossible to know how much fentanyl is concentrated in a tablet or powder. If you are exposed to fentanyl in any form, do not touch it and call 911 immediately.

Fentanyl remains the deadliest drug threat facing this country. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 107,622 Americans died of drug overdoses in 2021, with 66% of those deaths involving synthetic opioids like fentanyl.

Drug poisoning is the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 45. The fentanyl available in the United States is mainly supplied by two criminal drug networks: the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).

WHAT IS RAINBOW FENTANIL?

In August 2022, the Drug Enforcement Administration released a public notice about a disturbing new trend in colorful fentanyl available nationwide.

The brightly colored fentanyl, dubbed “rainbow fentanyl” by the media, has been seized in a variety of forms, including tablets, powder, and blocks resembling sidewalk chalk.

“Rainbow fentanyl — fentanyl tablets and powder that come in a variety of bright colors, shapes and sizes — is a deliberate attempt by drug dealers to create addiction in children and young adults,” said DEA Administrator Ann Milgram. “The men and women of the DEA are working tirelessly to stop rainbow fentanyl trafficking and defeat the Mexican drug cartels that are responsible for the vast majority of fentanyl illegally sold in the United States.”

Despite claims that some colors may be stronger than others, DEA lab testing does not show this to be the case. The DEA has stated that fentanyl of any color, shape, or size should be considered extremely dangerous.

Drug Enforcement Administration officials warn of fentanyl in bright colors, sometimes reminiscent of sidewalk chalk or candy.

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