United States Drug Enforcement Administration

DALLAS, TX - The Texoma High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Caprock Initiative was recognized on March 28, 2025, at the National HIDTA Awards Ceremony for its outstanding contributions to public health and safety. The event, held in Tysons Corner, Virginia, honored the program’s success in addressing the alarming rise in fentanyl overdoses in and around Lubbock, Texas.

The Caprock Initiative has reached nearly 26,000 individuals, providing crucial education and awareness about the dangers of fentanyl. With significant support from the United States Attorney’s Office, the Texas Anti-Gang Center, and the Lubbock County District Attorney’s Office, the initiative has become the most requested fentanyl awareness program in the South Plains region.

Through candid and factual presentations, the program has engaged numerous local schools, recovery organizations, overdose survivors, and families of victims. Notably, it has also collaborated with the Texas Tech Football Team, further extending its outreach. The initiative has been credited with raising public awareness and contributing to a reduction in overdose deaths in the region.

“It is always great to see others, especially at a national level, recognize what we already know:  Our law enforcement team in West Texas is second-to-none,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge, Eduardo A. Chávez, who supervises operations in the Caprock Area.  “Our team members understand the power of collaboration to stop the illicit fentanyl trade and hold those drug dealers accountable.  I am very proud of each of them for this well-deserved, national recognition.” 

“The Caprock Initiative exemplifies the power of collaboration in combating the opioid crisis,” said Director Keith Brown, from Texoma HIDTA. “By bringing together law enforcement, public health officials, and community leaders, we are making a real impact in saving lives.”

The National HIDTA Awards Ceremony highlights programs and individuals who demonstrate exceptional dedication to the fight against drug trafficking and substance abuse. The Texoma HIDTA’s Caprock Initiative stands as a model for how local partnerships can drive meaningful change.

For more information on the Caprock Initiative and its efforts to combat the opioid epidemic, please contact Keith Brown, Executive Director Texoma HIDTA kbrown@texomahidta.org.