From classrooms to clinics: Parkland brings hope amid the fentanyl crisis
Health system focuses on prevention, education and recovery to save lives
When Gov. Greg Abbott proclaimed October as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month, Parkland Health was already deep in the fight. Across the health system, from classrooms and clinics to jail re-entry programs, teams are working every day to prevent overdoses, educate the public and connect patients to recovery.
“Parkland wanted to be proactive, not reactive,” said Minnie Mathew, Administrative Director of Global Behavioral Health at Parkland. “When the Governor called for awareness about the fentanyl crisis, Parkland stepped up – with education, prevention, treatment and strong community partnerships built on a clear strategy.”
Education that saves lives
At the North Texas Poison Center (NTPC), housed within Parkland, public health educators are meeting growing demand for evidence-based education about fentanyl. After the COVID-19 pandemic, the center began receiving an influx of requests from schools and community groups looking for reliable and factual information.
In response, the team created the “Fake and Fatal” program – a curriculum that teaches students and adults about the dangers of counterfeit pills, the science of addiction and how to use naloxone in case of an opioid poisoning.
Education is just one part of the NTPC’s work in the fight against fentanyl. Behind the scenes, nurses and doctors at the center handle complex overdose calls every day, providing real-time medical guidance to the public and healthcare providers.
“There’s so much misinformation online,” said Liz Petty, NTPC Public Health Education and Outreach Manager. “We want families to have real, evidence-based facts and the confidence to respond in an emergency. One pill can kill, and education truly saves lives.”
Meeting people where they are
Inside Parkland’s Paths to Recovery Clinic and Jail Release Medication-Assisted Treatment Program, the philosophy is simple: meet every patient where they are.
Wayne Sparks, a Peer Recovery Navigator at Parkland, knows that philosophy firsthand because he’s lived it.
“I’m in recovery myself, and my passion is helping others save their lives,” he said. “This epidemic is real and deadly, and some of our patients don’t have anyone else to advocate for them. I make sure they know I’m here for them.”
Sparks recalls one patient who came to Parkland feeling hopeless. “Now she’s working and thriving in her recovery,” he said. “That’s why we do this work. Parkland is in the fight. We’re not giving up.”
A coordinated system of care
At Parkland, recovery is more than treatment, it’s a continuum of care that looks at the whole person.
“Our program is holistic,” said Olabisi Adams, Practice Operations Manager for Addiction Services at Parkland. “We have peer navigators, nurses, social workers, therapists, pharmacists and medical providers who care deeply. From the support staff to our acupuncturist, everyone welcomes the patient and provides great care.”
These programs, she explained, were created to close the gap for patients leaving jail on medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Without follow-up support, many faced barriers to care as well as a high risk of overdose.
“Before this program, patients often returned to old behaviors,” Adams said. “These medications are lifesaving. They give our patients a chance to live one more day and a chance to win this battle.”
Working together for North Texas
The work, leaders say, is about more than medical care – it’s about compassion, coordination and policy support.
“Support from policymakers is critical for prevention, sustainability and expanding mental health services,” Mathew said. “We can’t do this work alone. Our success depends on partnerships with Dallas County agencies, law enforcement and community organizations who share our mission.”
As fentanyl continues to impact families across North Texas, Parkland remains committed to prevention, recovery and hope – one patient, one conversation and one life at a time.
The Overdose Prevention Hotline serves as a centralized resource for individuals and healthcare providers in Dallas County seeking information about opioid treatment, harm reduction services and linkage to care. It operates from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Individuals can reach the hotline by calling 214-590-4000. Services are provided in English and Spanish.
For more information about Parkland services, visit www.parklandhealth.org
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