Austin Public Health (APH) and Austin-Travis County EMS (ATCEMS) are marking International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31 by raising awareness about the opioid overdose crisis in the community. The two organizations are working together to provide information and resources for residents of Austin.
“The decline we’ve seen in overdose deaths proves that in Austin, we keep each other safe,” said Austin-Travis County Health Authority Dr. Desmar Walkes. “We can’t let our guard down now – work must continue so we can save as many lives as possible from this epidemic.”
APH and ATCEMS are offering free onsite “Breathe Now” training sessions to teach people how to recognize opioid overdoses, administer naloxone, and respond effectively in emergencies. The 45-minute sessions also include distribution of naloxone rescue kits. Residents interested in attending an in-person training can find more information through APH, while details about upcoming virtual training opportunities are also available.
“We’ve done a lot of great work preventing overdoses in Austin, but there’s more work to do, because even one life lost is too many,” said ATCEMS Chief Robert Luckritz. “Today is about strengthening our commitment to prevention, treatment, and recovery. Together, we can break the stigma and save lives.”
Health experts recommend several steps for recognizing and preventing opioid overdoses: carrying naloxone; avoiding using drugs alone or behind locked doors; being aware of signs such as small pupils, decreased responsiveness or mental status, and slow or absent breathing; administering naloxone if an overdose is suspected; starting basic life support; and calling 911 for further care since opioids may outlast the effects of intranasal naloxone.
Free posters with this information can be ordered from APH. More resources on recognizing and preventing opioid overdoses are available at https://stopoverdoseatx.org.
