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, TX over the next five years. The research team is using the funding to bolster their Fentanyl Education, Support Training, and Awareness (FESTA) program.
The FESTA program was created in a collaborative effort by TXST faculty members including:
- Kelly Clary, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, School of Social Work (Project Director)
- Megan Rogers, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology (Data Analyst)
- Erica Nason, Ph.D., Associate Professor School of Social Work (Project Associate Director)
- Ty Schepis, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Psychology (Youth Substance Use Expert)
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, Kelly Clary says 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 says. “This was an opportunity to collaborate with Hays County middle and high schools to support their students, faculty, and parents/caregivers."
So far, in collaboration with Hill Country MHDD, the team has supported two naloxone trainings for community members in Wimberley and Dripping Springs, with over 40 total attendees. Two additional naloxone trainings are scheduled for March 2025.
The FESTA team will present outreach events and educational resources in collaboration with Texas ICON, Cenikor, the Hays County Sherriff’s Office, and Hill Country MHDD over the next five years.