Frisco to hold fentanyl awareness forum for Spanish-speaking community

Local and federal law enforcement are organizing an educational forum in Frisco next week to address the ongoing fentanyl crisis, with a unique focus on providing information and testimonies in Spanish.

The community event, scheduled for Wednesday, April 24 at Frisco High School, aims to engage Spanish speakers in discussions surrounding the dangers of fentanyl. Parents who have tragically lost children to the synthetic opioid will share their stories in hopes of raising awareness and preventing further deaths.

Among the speakers invited to share his experience is Frank Moreno of Fort Worth, who has dedicated a portion of his home to memorialize his son, Sebastian Genisis Moreno, who passed away at the age of 24.

Sebastian’s untimely death occurred after he ingested what he believed to be oxycodone, unaware that it was laced with a lethal dose of fentanyl. Despite valiant efforts to revive him, Sebastian did not survive.

In addition to recounting his personal tragedy, Moreno has joined other families impacted by fentanyl in advocacy efforts, including erecting billboards featuring their children’s photographs in various states.

The upcoming forum, titled “United Against Fentanyl,” is a collaborative effort between the Frisco Police Department and the federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). Special Agent in Charge Eduardo Chavez, who heads the DEA’s Dallas Field Division, will address the audience in both English and Spanish, aiming to dispel misconceptions about the opioid crisis.

Chavez stresses the importance of community engagement in combating the fentanyl epidemic, emphasizing that the drug’s impact is indiscriminate and can affect individuals from all backgrounds.

Moreno echoes the sentiment, emphasizing the need for Hispanic communities to actively participate in such forums despite potential language barriers. He hopes that by sharing his family’s story, others will realize the severity of the crisis and take preventive measures.

The loss of Sebastian continues to deeply affect Moreno’s family, with each member coping in their own way. Despite the pain, Moreno remains committed to raising awareness about the dangers of fentanyl, particularly within the Hispanic community.

As the forum approaches, organizers and speakers alike hope to educate and empower attendees to take action against the fentanyl crisis, emphasizing that no family is immune to its devastating effects.