Naloxone boxes could be installed in Kyle parks to prevent overdose deaths
KYLE, Texas (KXAN) – Boxes containing naloxone – the FDA-approved drug that can reverse the effects of a fentanyl overdose – may be installed in parks across Kyle, Texas. Narcan is the brand name of naloxone.
The Kyle Parks and Recreation Department unanimously recommended city staff install the boxes after hearing a presentation from Janel Rodriguez, whose son died from a fentanyl poisoning in 2022.
“I bought ten [boxes]. It’s my goal to set up one of these boxes in every park we have in Hays County,” Rodriguez told the board. “Especially [for the] kids — they’re in the parks, hanging out, playing basketball. I’m not naive enough to say that are kids are not doing drugs. It happened to my son who was an honors student. He was experimenting.”
Since her son’s death, Rodriguez started the Forever 15 Project to spread awareness and provide resources to those at risk of fentanyl poisoning. One of those projects included posting photos of three Hays CISD students who died from fentanyl in 2022 on a billboard on Interstate 35.
“In the Summer of 2022, Hays CISD lost four students to fentanyl poisoning in a matter of weeks of each other. My son was one of those students,” Rodriguez said.
The Forever 15 Project said it would be responsible for keeping the boxes stocked full of life-saving drugs and that the city of Kyle would not have to pay a penny.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
