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Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at 8:56 PM
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TXST faculty tackle fentanyl misuse in Hays County

TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY

Researchers at Texas State University are using a $1.8 million grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to combat fentanyl misuse and accidental overdoses in Hays County over the next five years. The research team is using the funding to bolster their Fentanyl Education, support a training and awareness program, commonly called the FESTA program.

A primary objective of the FESTA program is to help local school districts implement substance abuse educational programming, a requirement mandated by the state legislature.

When Tucker’s Law was passed in 2023, Project Director Kelly Clary said she saw an opportunity to provide resources and education for sixth through twelfth graders, in addition to their parents and caretakers, throughout Hays County.

“With that new requirement and the fact that schools might need some additional help, sometimes because they’re doing so many other good things, they might want additional resources or the extra manpower to create and implement outreach and educational resources for their school community,” Clary said. “This was an opportunity to collaborate with Hays County middle and high schools to support their students, faculty and parents/ caregivers.”

The FESTA program was created in a collaborative effort by TXST faculty members: Project Director Kelly Clary, School of Social Work assistant professor, Data Analyst Megan Rogers, Department of Psychology assistant professor, Project Associate Director Erica Nason, School of Social Work associate professor, and Youth Substance Use Expert Ty Schepis, Department of Psychology professor.

So far, in collaboration with Hill Country MHDD, the team has supported two naloxone trainings for community members in Wimberley and Dripping Springs, with more than 40 total attendees. Two additional naloxone training sessions are scheduled for March 2025.

The FESTA team will present outreach events and educational resources in collaboration with Texas ICON, Cenikor, the Hays County Sheriff’s Office and Hill Country MHDD over the next five years.


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