Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that 76% of all overdose deaths and 90% of overdose deaths among teens involve opioids. It’s a trend that has swept the nation in just a few years due to the widespread misuse of prescription opioids and the prevalence of fentanyl.
Austin is one of the cities in Texas that’s been hit the hardest by the opioids epidemic. Data from the Texas Department of State Health Services shows that in 2022 Travis County had the:
- Highest number of drug overdose deaths involving prescription opioids.
- Highest rate of fentanyl overdose deaths per 100,000 people.
- Highest rate of overdose deaths for synthetic opioids per 100,000 people.
- Fourth highest rate of heroin overdose deaths per 100,000 people.
Year-over-year opioid related deaths are increasing, and Austin already had one of the highest drug overdose death rates in the state of Texas. The overall rate of overdose deaths in Austin has far exceeded the state average for years. These are trends that city officials are desperate to turn around. Austin is now taking a multi-faceted approach, with the help of the state and federal resources, to combat the opioid crisis in order to prevent addiction and overdose deaths simultaneously.
Austin – Travis County Opioid Resource Hub
Information is empowering. There are many educational resources about opioids available for Austin residents, and they are now easy to access with the Travis County Opioid Resource Hub. The Hub was created by the Austin Public Health organization and is updated quarterly to keep people informed about the state of the opioid epidemic as well as what’s being done to prevent and reduce overdose deaths and hospitalizations locally.
Austin Opioids Data Dashboard
Seeing the statistics can be eye opening. Austin Public Health created the Opioids Data Dashboard to not only keep residents informed about the ongoing opioid crisis but to also put the problem into perspective. Seeing the number of fatal and non-fatal overdoses, emergency department visits, hospitalizations and calls to emergency personnel about opioid poisoning makes it clear that there is a crisis that everyone needs to take seriously.
PSA Encouraging 9-1-1 Calls for Overdoses
Educational resources are a prevention measure for the most part to stop overdoses before they happen. Austin’s efforts to encourage people to call 9-1-1 if they believe someone is overdosing is taking action to combat overdose deaths as they are happening.
In the past some people have been hesitant to call 9-1-1 when someone is overdosing due to fear of legal and criminal penalties. While health care providers are required to record hospitalizations and deaths due to opioid drug overdoses, it’s been stressed to individuals is that what’s most important is getting help to prevent an overdose death.
Part of the 9-1-1 initiative is letting people know what to look for to know if an overdose is occurring. It’s stressed that if a person exhibits any of the signs of an opioid overdose 9-1-1 should be called whether or not the caller knows if drugs were taken.
Narcan Distribution and Training
Opioid overdoses can be deadly, but new medications are pivotal in preventing deaths. Narcan (Naloxone) is a medication that can be administered by anyone to immediately reverse the symptoms of an opioid overdose no matter whether it’s from a synthetic opioid, prescription opioids or heroin.
In addition to providing free Narcan kits, the Austin Public Health (APH) and Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services (ATCEMS) have teamed up to provide a program called “Breathe Now” training. The program consists of a 45-minute class that teaches participants the signs of an overdose and how to administer naloxone. Whole teams can take the class together, which is highly recommended for Austin bars and restaurants where many overdoses tend to occur.
When there was a substantial outbreak of overdoses in April of 2024, part of the response was the immediate distribution of 400 Narcan kits around Austin. Officials stated that the kits likely helped save dozens of lives over the course of a few short days.
Public Education on Danger of Fentanyl – One Pill Kills
Awareness is a crucial part of combating the opioid epidemic in any U.S. city, especially now that fentanyl is being laced into pills that look like legitimate prescription medications. Texas has launched the One Pill Kills PSA to reinforce that any pill that doesn’t come directly from a U.S. pharmacy can be laced with fentanyl.
The PSA videos feature parents of teens that have died from fentanyl poisoning. It’s a stark reminder that one pill really can kill anyone, and it doesn’t have to be opioid painkillers. The One Pill Kills initiative also provides information on Naloxone and signs of fentanyl overdose in an effort to save innocent lives. There are resources for teens, parents and health care providers.
Austin PD Increases Efforts to Find Opioid Distributors and Dealers
One of the biggest concerns for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and local law enforcement in Austin is counterfeit pills that are laced with fentanyl, which is fueling the overdose epidemic. Many people in the Austin area have overdosed and died because they didn’t realize what they were ingesting contained fentanyl. With no tolerance to opioids, a person can succumb to a very small amount of fentanyl.
The Austin Police Department’s Organized Crime Division Narcotics Support Unit has significantly increased its efforts to find and investigate sources of illegal narcotics that are causing opioid overdoses. The result has been a notable increase in individuals being charged for crimes related to fentanyl overdoses.
More Screening and Easier Access to Addiction Treatment Services
In addition to preventing opioid addiction and overdose deaths from opioids, the City of Austin is also working to improve treatment options for opioid use disorder. The resources include:
- Free screenings prior to treatment
- Persons Experiencing Homelessness (PEH) Support Program
- Homeless Outreach Street Team (HOST)
- Pop-Up Resource Clinic (PURC) Program
- Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) Support Program
- Texas Harm Reduction Alliance (THRA)
- Buprenorphine Bridge Program (BBP)
If you or someone you know is struggling with opioid addiction or substance use disorders of any kind Any Length Retreat can help. Our programs are designed to help men in all stages of recovery. We take a unique approach anchored in acceptance and support that allows patients to fully address the causes of their addiction so they can truly overcome them.
Contact our team for more information and resources.
