HARLINGEN, Texas (VALLEY CENTRAL) — The Tucker Act requires children in public schools to be taught about the dangers of fentanyl and other drug addictions.
The danger of fentanyl has been identified throughout the Rio Grande Valley.
Local authorities have blamed several recent overdoses on the drug, known as the fentanyl crisis.
Tucker’s Law is named after 19-year-old Tucker Law from Leander, Texas, who passed away in 2021.
Police say the man purchased what they believe to be the painkiller Percocet from Instagram. The pills were laced with fentanyl, which is believed to have taken his life.
School districts in the area have adopted a law that bears his name.
The Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District says it has already begun implementing its educational curriculum.
“We have been actively working on this already this year and will continue to do so,” said Veronica Coltan, the district’s assistant superintendent.
Koltan said the district is working with Harlingen police and other law enforcement authorities to enforce Tucker’s Law.
The law states that students in grades 6 through 12 must receive 10 hours of instruction on the subject each year.
Harlingen CISD intends to exceed the 10-hour minimum.
Coltan says it’s important to continue educating students about the dangers of fentanyl and other drugs.
“It’s not just a one-time thing either, right? It needs to be an ongoing campaign. So as we progress throughout the year, making sure that remains something that’s always at the forefront of the guidance and one of the goals of the Director of Counseling,” Coltan said.
Koltan went on to say that Harlingen CISD helps children develop the skills they need to deal with life’s adversities without resorting to drugs.
He said addressing mental health is an important part of the district’s efforts, and students in particular could benefit from counseling services.
“How do we equip our students with coping skills? How to have the grit to persevere through things in life that aren’t very fun. And when faced with such problems, they have to resort to fentanyl and other things.” I often notice that there is no such thing,” said the Korean.
Harlingen CISD hosts in-person and online events to educate parents about drug use.
Coltan says it’s important for parents to ask their children questions about what they’re going through.
She added that through casual conversation, children often respond better and open up more.