HAYS COUNTY, Texas — A Hays County mother who said she lost her son in a fentanyl-related death wants to make sure an overdose treatment is available in local parks.
Janel Rodriguez's son, Noah, was 15 years old. She said back in August 2022, he took a pill he thought was the painkiller Percocet.
"Noah was a huge mama's boy. I mean, huge," Rodriguez said. "He liked to be the center of attention. He loved to make people laugh. He loved to cheer people up."
Rodriguez said her son was at a friend's house the night he took the pill. She said she remembers when she got a call.
"Ear screeching screams in the background, and I knew something was wrong," Rodriguez said. "Hearing the words, 'I think Noah overdosed,' my heart just sank. When we got to the scene, first responders said it was a suspected fentanyl overdose."
Since her son's death, Rodriguez has been raising awareness about the dangers of fentanyl.
Rodriguez put a billboard up along Interstate 35 in Kyle, also featuring two other Hays CISD students who died from suspected fentanyl-related deaths. According to the school district, at least seven students have died from suspected fentanyl-related incidents since 2022.
Now Rodriguez wants to have Narcan at parks in Kyle where teens often hang out.
"For every household to be prepared, even though it may not be your child. It could be your niece, your grandkid, your son or daughter’s best friend or parent’s friend. Just to be prepared," Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez recently spoke at the Kyle Parks and Recreation board meeting. The board approved the idea, and it now goes to the city council for further discussion.
Adam Holt, a friend of Rodriguez’s, runs a recovery community organization called Outsiders Anonymous. Holt said he plans to help Rodriguez supply the Narcan at the parks.
Holt said he's handed out more than 1,000 Narcan doses in the community and seen their efforts save lives.
"We've had 16 overdose reversals reported back to us," he said.
It's a goal for Rodriguez as she remembers her son and how special he was.
"Be ready to save a life," Rodriguez said.