Hays CISD student dies from possible fentanyl overdose
HAYS COUNTY, Texas - The Hays County Sheriff's Office is investigating the death of a 15-year-old Hays CISD student as a possible fentanyl overdose.
On Oct. 5, Hays CISD superintendent Eric Wright sent a letter to parents and staff, saying, "I can tell you that it is our continuing worst fear to lose another student from a danger that remains present in our district and across the country. We have previously lost six students to this evil since the summer of 2022, each a beautiful and precious life taken much too soon."
The school district will continue raising awareness about the fentanyl crisis and the dangers of the drug.
Counselors and support services have been working with the student's friends and teachers for support.
"At this point, we believe it's a suspected poisoning, but we won't know for sure until toxicology comes back from the Medical Examiner's office," Deputy Anthony Hipolito with the Hays County Sheriff's Office said.
Janel Rodriguez, founder of the Forever 15 Project, lost her son, Noah, also a Hays CISD student, to fentanyl last year.
She shares her reaction to the recent death.
"When I got the news, I was sad and upset and angry and just hurt," she said.
When asked why this seems to keep happening in Hays County, Hipolito said, "That's something that we're going to continue to find the answer to. Obviously, I-35 corridor runs right through the middle of Hays County, so with that is going to come some of those issues."
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HCSO says they've had 14 fentanyl poisonings since the beginning of last year in the county. That doesn't include deaths that have happened within different cities' limits.
"It's just really, really frustrating that people are continuing to entice our kids," Rodriguez said.
October is Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month.
The school district and law enforcement say they are continuing to educate people about the dangers of fentanyl.
Rodriguez says she'll continue to do advocacy work as well.
"I can't stress that enough, just talk to your kids. Just don't think that it cannot happen to your family," Rodriguez said.