According to the Texas Department of Health and Human Services (THHS), fentanyl claims the lives of five Texans every day.
HARKER HEIGHTS, Texas — A Harker Heights father who lost his son to a fentanyl overdose in April is raising awareness of the growing epidemic through his nonprofit organization, Flush Away Fentanyl, Inc. .
According to the Texas Department of Health and Human Services (THHS), fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 50 times more powerful than heroin and 100 times more powerful than morphine, kills five Texans every day.
On April 19, 2024, fentanyl took the life of Tyler Lumpkins. He was just 32 years old, said his father, Charlie Lampkins.
Charlie Lumpkins said police came to his home to share the tragic news about his son.
“I took the blinds off and said, ‘Doctor, please don’t tell me my son is dead,’ and he said, ‘Yes, I am,'” Charlie Lumpkins said. “I didn’t know what to do.”
The next thing a Copperas Cove father knew, he was planning his son’s funeral.
“This is my child. Parents should not bury their children,” he said.
Left with questions, Charlie Lumpkins sets out to find out the truth about what happened to his son. He revealed in a blog post that he learned someone gave his son Percocet because his back hurt.
“Unfortunately, it wasn’t Percocet. It was 100% fentanyl and killed me almost instantly,” Charlie Lampkins wrote in a blog post.
According to TTHS, criminal drug networks are mass producing counterfeit pills containing fentanyl and passing them off as legitimate prescription drugs.
“Widely available counterfeit prescription drugs can contain lethal doses of fentanyl,” THHS said.
These pills are often sold online through social media and e-commerce sites and are available to anyone, including young people.
“The same medicine can look the same, one can be an overnight chewable pill…a vitamin, and the other can be addictive, which can kill you. and you might not be able to wake up,” Charlie Lumpkins told 6 News.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that of the 5,566 drug-related deaths in Texas from August 2022 to August 2023, 45% involved fentanyl. The CDC expects that number to increase further due to the availability of fentanyl.
“We have to find gentle ways to get that across to young people,” Charlie Lampkins said.
Now, he’s telling his son’s story to thousands of students across Central Texas as part of his work with Flush Away Fentanyl. His goal is not only to raise awareness of the growing health epidemic, but also to provide resources for seeking help. We also honor the lives of those who died from fentanyl overdose.
“There are oceans of tears in street cemeteries because of fentanyl,” said Jesse Gongora, marketing director for Flush Away Fentanyl. “…tell your kids about this, because if you don’t tell them about it, they’ll find out another way,” said Jesse Gongora, director of marketing for Flush Away Fentanyl. Because it’s going to happen,” he said.
Charlie Lumpkins and Gongora said they hope to add more team members to their cause. They also hope to turn Flash Away Fentanyl into a 501c3 organization and need to raise about $2,500.
“Stand up with us and say no,” Gongora said. “Please stand with us and help us build more resources so we can fight this problem.”
Small, constricted “pinpoint pupils” The face becomes extremely pale and/or feels cold or sticky to the touch The body feels limp The nails and lips turn purple or blue Vomiting or gurgling eyes cannot wake up or speak; breathing or heartbeat slows or stops
Call 911 immediately. Try to wake the patient. If possible, administer naloxone. Begin artificial respiration or CPRT. Turn the patient on his side to prevent suffocation. Stay with the patient until emergency services arrive.
For more resources, check out THHS’ One Pill Kills campaign.
