Texas moms are on a mission to combat fentanyl-related deaths – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

Two grieving mothers hosted a forum in Plano on Saturday to highlight the dangers of fentanyl and shed light on some of the telltale signs of drug use.

The message was direct and clear. Only one pill can kill. This has been said before, but the people who gathered for this critical conversation said it was worth repeating given the consequences.

Lori Andrews knows firsthand the heartache fentanyl can cause.

“My son and I had talked about it. He assured me it was just Percocet and he knew where it came from,” she said. “But it just shows you can’t trust anyone.”

Her son, Clayton, was 29 when he died of fentanyl poisoning. She knew he had struggled with drug use, so they agreed.

“He knew not to consume it unless he told me he was consuming it so I could give Narcan if needed. But once, the last time, he broke the rule and died,” Andrews said.

Teena Johnson and Jeri Horton moderated the daylong discussion in Plano to drive home the message: “Fentanyl is forever.” The focus was not only on the dangers of fentanyl, but also on the mental and emotional support needed to combat it Substance use is required.

The panel discussion included the Drug Enforcement Administration, Collin County Sheriff's Office, Plano Police Department and Health Services. In the crowd were parents who wanted life-saving information and sat with parents who had cautionary tales to tell.

Amy Brewer's daughter died at the age of 21. She said parents should get to know the people their children call friends.

“They talk to their friends more. Sometimes they hang out with their friends,” Brewer said. “They know what’s going on, maybe they don’t want to tell you. But I made the mistake of not doing that and my daughter died.”

Narcan, the life-saving nasal spray for fentanyl overdoses, was also on hand to demonstrate its use. Organizers say the goal is to prevent loved ones from grieving the loss caused by fentanyl.

While fentanyl has claimed the lives of people of all ages, it is the leading cause of death among 18- to 45-year-olds in the U.S., according to the CDC.

In Texas, related deaths increased over 600% from 2019 to 2023, accounting for 7,000 deaths in those four years, according to the governor's office.

For more information about fentanyl and preventive measures, see

For community resources, visit Fentanyl is Forever