HARRIS COUNTY – Harris County and Houston law enforcement announced on Wednesday the creation of a new task force to prevent fentanyl overdoses.
The agency will be made up of the Drug Enforcement Agency, Houston Police Department, Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Pasadena Police Department and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.
Authorities said all socioeconomic groups are being impacted by fentanyl.
‘It’s impacting all of us…every group we can think of,” Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said.
Officials have met with families often about overdoses, and now prosecutors will provide legal support for the investigation of fatal overdose cases as homicides.
This new task force was created to protect citizens, and it is going to target traffickers.
Law enforcement said they are trying to get justice for families.
Daniel C. Comeaux, a Drug Enforcement Agency special agent in charge, said drug cartels are making money through social media and selling “dangerous poison to kids.”
“We have far too many kids overdosing,” Comeaux said.
Over the past year, there were 700 fentanyl incidents, according to HPD. This number includes non-fatal incidents and drug arrests.
During the news conference, law enforcement also made a call to action to residents. They encouraged parents to be nosy and check in on their kids often. Police said they need everyone’s help to stop fentanyl deaths.