Hays CISD student death is under investigation as fentanyl-related

The Hays County Sheriff’s Office is investigating as a possible fentanyl overdose the death on Monday, Oct. 2, of a 15-year-old female student enrolled in the Hays Consolidated Independent School District.

The investigation is ongoing as county investigators await the results of a toxicology report conducted in connection to the student’s death.

Officials did not release the name of the student as she is a juvenile and the investigation is in its preliminary stages. No charges have been filed in connection to the student's death.

In a written statement to parents and staff released on Thursday, Oct. 5, Hays CISD Superintendent Eric Wright confirmed the student who died was enrolled in the district.

“I am saddened to report that earlier this week we learned that one of our 15-year-old students died at home. Our counselors and staff have been working behind the scenes to provide support services for this student’s friends and teachers,” Wright stated in the press release.

He added that on Thursday, the Hays County Sheriff’s Office had informed the district that the student’s death “is formally being investigated as a possible fentanyl overdose.”

Wright noted in his statement that any loss of a young person in the district is a tragedy no matter the cause.

“We are heartbroken,” he stated. “Though we do not know the cause of death for this student, and won’t know it until law enforcement completes its investigation, 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.”

Wright stated that since Summer 2022, six Hays CISD students have been lost to fentanyl overdoses.

“We will continue our efforts to speak up about the fentanyl threat, and speak out to anyone who will listen about what we believe are the needs and challenges necessary to fight this drug. It is a problem that we must fight at all levels and we must all be engaged, together, in defeating it,” he addeds.

According to the Hays County Sheriff’s Office, EMS were called to a residence on Monday, Oct. 2, in response to a call that a teenager was unresponsive. Sheriff’s officials also stated that as the investigation is in its preliminary phase, fentanyl may only be considered as a possible cause of the student’s death, but pending toxicology information, other causes might still be under consideration.

As of January 2022, sheriff’s office officials stated they have responded to approximately 66 fentanyl poisonings, resulting in 14 deaths.

The sheriff's office also stated that parents should know that fentanyl is the leading cause of death for individuals ages 18-45 in Hays County.

According to Hays CISD officials, during Summer 2022, the communities in Hays CISD were aware there was an increase in overdoses, poisonings and deaths related to fentanyl.

County officials stated that illicitly manufactured fentanyl is an ingredient often used in the creation of counterfeit pills that may include other ingredients including prescription Xanax, Percocet or oxycodone. Purchased on the street, many do not realize that the pill they are taking is likely laced with other ingredients that in combination with fentanyl are lethal. Officials stated that for those involved in the creation of synthetic opiods, fentanyl is an inexpensive alternative in these pills. In the summer and first week of school for 2022, four Hays CISD students died from suspected or confirmed fentanyl poisoning.

By the end of the 20222023 school year, six Hays CISD students were confirmed to have died from fentanyl poisoning.

In light of the gravity of the drug’s impact in Hays County, Hays CISD has gone on record as being committed to keeping the fentanyl conversation open and ongoing.

For example, the Texas High School Coaches Association and Hays CISD recently partnered with the Safety Blitz Foundation to bring what is called the “Coaches vs Overdoses” program to community. The Hays CISD athletic program in September 2023 was the first district in the state to begin a program of its kind in a community.

The program includes educational materials for electronic distribution to parents and students, and a drug disposal tool to be passed out at the district’s varsity football games.

The goal of the program is to assist in spreading the word about these drugs and to lessen the impact it is having in Texas.

The Texas High School Coaches Association recently announced that home football games on Oct. 26, 27 and 28 will be the Texas kickoff to National Drug Take Back Day.