WATCH: Texas HC Steve Sarkisian joins Gov. Greg Abbott, other Texas coaches in PSA on fentanyl awareness
Issue hits close for Texas Longhorns fans after LB Jake Ehlinger suffered fatal overdose in 2021
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian and his statewide contemporaries have joined Gov. Greg Abbott for a new public service announcement about the dangers of fentanyl.
Sarkisian, Texas A&M’s Mike Elko, Texas Tech’s Joey McGuire and Houston’s Willie Fritz all appear alongside Abbott in a new comprehensive “One Pill Kills” campaign commercial.
The PSA will be played at high school games across the state during Texas throughout October.
“There is a growing danger in our communities and schools. Fentanyl,” Abbott said on camera.
Elko follows by saying, “It has claimed the lives of thousands of innocent Americans and is now the leading cause of death in young adults.”
Fritz then appears on camera to say, “One of the best ways to prevent tragic fentanyl deaths is through education.
“Just one pill kills,” McGuire follows.
Abbott appears on camera to stress, “That’s why you should only take prescription medication specifically for you and filled in a pharmacy.”
“Never take a pill you got from a friend or on social media,” Sarkisian says on camera. “So please, learn about the dangers of this deadly drug.”
Abbott has made fentanyl awareness a key part of his administration. Fentanyl is the leading killer of Americans ages 18-45, and fentanyl-related deaths in Texas increased more than 600% from 2019-23, according to a statement from the governor’s office.
Earlier this week, Abbott issued a proclamation declaring October as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month. He has also signed four laws to combat the growing crisis.
This issue hits close to home for Texas Longhorns fans. Linebacker Jake Ehlinger, brother of standout quarterback Sam Ehlinger, died from an accidental overdose in May 2021. Jake Ehlinger was 20. Jake’s mother, Jena, has been outspoken in driving fentanyl awareness.
"Today we are sad to share that we have learned that Jake was a victim of an accidental overdose of what was believed to be Xanax laced with toxic drugs including deadly Fentanyl," the family said in a statement in October 2021. “The spread of counterfeit pills is an ongoing and significant issue throughout our country, particularly in schools, colleges, and universities.
“As our family continues to process Jake’s death, we felt it was important to share these details with the hope that Jake will not have died in vain. We pray that sharing Jake's story will help shed light on this problem and prevent other families from also tragically losing a loved one.”
