By Terry Allen
In the ongoing battle against the opioid epidemic where ‘One Pill Kills- Fentanyl” , we stand at a crucial juncture where the allocation of substantial settlement funds can make a significant impact on our community’s well-being. It is with a deep sense of urgency and responsibility that we address this today.. The Dallas Weekly has been at the forefront of providing crucial news to Dallas -Ft- Worth, According to the CDC, fueled largely by illicit fentanyl or fentanyl analogues, the relative overdose death rate increased by 44% among Black people and by 39% among American Indian and Alaska Native individuals
The opioid crisis, a plague that has devastated lives across Dallas County, is not exclusive to any particular demographic or neighborhood. The narrative suggesting that this scourge is confined to affluent Anglo suburbs is not only false but dangerous. We cannot allow this misconception to take root as it threatens to divert the resources we desperately need away from those who need it the most.
Our county is slated to receive at least $131 million over the next 18 years, part of the $1.6 billion designated for Texas to combat the opioid epidemic. This windfall offers a beacon of hope, a chance to channel resources into vital areas such as community education, court diversion programs, drug testing, treatment, and the distribution of life-saving naloxone (Narcan).
Narcan is a crucial medication that has the power to save lives in the face of opioid overdoses. However, our responsibility extends beyond its distribution; we must be vigilant in sourcing this medication from organizations with an unwavering commitment to public health and devoid of any ties to those who contributed to the crisis.
The urgency is clear — opioids claimed the lives of nearly 2,800 Texans last year alone. Fentanyl, a potent and deadly synthetic opioid, is responsible for an alarming number of these deaths, taking more than six Texans each day. Many more in our community are grappling with addiction, whether from prescribed medications or illicit substances.
As we navigate the path to allocate these settlement funds, it is imperative that we stand united against any notion of redirecting this money back into the hands of the companies that played a role in creating this crisis. Using these funds to contract with parties implicated in exacerbating the epidemic should be considered unconscionable.
To make our voices heard and ensure a just distribution of these funds, we encourage you to stay informed and engaged. Learn more about the opioid crisis’s impact on our community and advocate for transparent, accountable, and culturally sensitive strategies in the allocation of settlement funds.
For further information, please visit:
1. Fight Fentanyl DC
2. Dallas News – The Opioid Epidemic: Deadly and Expensive
3. Dallas News – North Texas Schools Educating Students on Fentanyl Dangers
4. Texas Attorney General – Paxton Secures $1.167 Billion Texas Global Opioid Agreement
Terry Allen is an NABJ award-winning Journalist, DEI expert, PR professional and founder of the charity – Vice President at FocusPR, Founder of City Men Cook and Dallas Chapter President of NBPRS.org