Austin Public Health (APH) has introduced a new resource hub aimed at providing local resources and information on opioids. The initiative seeks to raise awareness and reduce drug overdoses within the community.
“Thanks to the work of the City of Austin, Travis County, and our many community partners, we have resources available to fight this overdose epidemic. We must ensure that our community is aware of all that is available,” said Austin-Travis County Health Authority Dr. Desmar Walkes. “Let’s take the time to familiarize ourselves with all the help that is available – it will save lives.”
The Austin-Travis County Opioid Resource Hub offers several features:
- Access to the APH Opioid Overdose Dashboard and Surveillance Report for insights into opioid impacts.
- Connections to local treatment and recovery services.
- Outreach materials and toolkits to promote awareness about opioid dangers.
- Links to community partners combating the opioid crisis in Austin-Travis County.
- Information on Naloxone/Narcan availability in the area.
- A list of frequently asked questions regarding opioids.
By December 2024, APH and its collaborators had distributed 2,134 doses of naloxone within the community. This hub results from collaboration among APH, Travis County, Texas Harm Reduction Alliance, Austin-Travis County Emergency Management System, Communities for Recovery, Integral Care, Texas Health and Human Services, and Central Health.
Experts emphasize learning how to identify and prevent opioid overdoses:
- Avoid using drugs alone or behind locked doors.
- Inform others if you possess naloxone.
- Recognize overdose signs like small pupils, decreased responsiveness/mental status, and slow or absent breathing.
- Administer naloxone if an overdose is suspected; call 911 as continued care may be necessary due to longer-lasting effects of fatal opioids compared to intranasal naloxone.
For more information on recognizing and preventing opioid overdoses, visit www.one-dose.org.