Travis County Leaders and Local Organizations Band Together to Combat Opioid Crisis

In the wake of a startling increase in opioid-related deaths, the officials of Travis County and Austin have initiated a series of collaborative efforts with local organizations, aiming to significantly lessen the impact of opioids within their community.

Opioids: The Silent Killer

Last year, Travis County saw drug overdoses skyrocketing to be the leading cause of accidental deaths, according to the recently released Travis County Medical Examiner Annual Report. From late April to the early days of May, 79 suspected overdoses and nine potential fatalities prompted the immediate response of the Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services, or ATCEMS, and additional health agencies. Fentanyl-related deaths continue to rise; however, their rate of increase has notably slowed down from 108% to 14% between the years 2021-22 to 2022-23.

Judge Andy Brown, from the Travis County, accentuated on the need for more unified intervention and recovery resources as the present efforts, though impactful, are insufficient.

Uniting to Fight the Opioid Crisis

The joint assailant against the opioid crisis comprises the Travis County Commissioners Court, ATCEMS, Austin Public Health, and numerous community organizations. Together, they have strived to proliferate the availability of naloxone, a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses, within the county.

Recognizing the opioid crisis as a public health crisis in 2022, the county invested approximately $860,000 in purchasing Narcan (another name for Naloxone), methadone treatment services, and peer recovery support programs. The health department has also received $2 million in funding to hire peer support specialists and purchase naloxone in 2023.

In response to the surges in overdoses, ATCEMS has created a medication-assisted treatment program using Buprenorphine, a medication that staves off opioid withdrawal symptoms and subsequently decreases the possibility of relapse. The number of patients in need of such medication services hiked by around 50% after the rise of overdoses in the month of April.

Nonprofit Contribution: Overdose Prevention and Support Services

Nonprofit organizations like Urban Alchemy, the Texas Harm Reduction Alliance, and Communities for Recovery have played a significant role in this fight against the opioid crisis. They have been instrumental in dispensing Narcan, imparting knowledge about overdose prevention, and connecting opioid users to the necessary support services.

Why it Matters

Initiatives to curb opioid overdoses have proven fruitful. According to Dr. Desmar Walkes, the APH Medical Director and Health Authority, the community’s usage of Narcan, reflected by the 80% of people in Travis County who received a dose of naloxone when emergency services arrived, outpaces the national average of 60%. As a result, countless lives have been saved.

Stepping Forward: Continuous Efforts

Going forward, Commissioners Court aims to obtain more data on the occurrences of overdoses by collaborating with Texans Connecting Overdose Prevention Efforts. Additionally, advocacy for the legalization of fentanyl test strips is on the agenda, as this would enable individuals to test drugs before use, hence preventing potential overdoses.

The fight against the opioid crisis continues, with more and more community-based efforts aligning to tackle the issues. With every step forward, each success is a testament to the vital importance of community engagement, collaborative initiatives, and effective, responsive policies.