AUSTIN (KXAN) — According to a presentation by Austin-Travis County EMS, Travis County has the highest opioid death rate in the state.
During a City Council Public Safety Committee meeting, ATCEMS highlighted disturbing data that shows the opioid crisis touched every part of the community.
The 2023 data is not available yet, but ATCEMS Division Chief Stephen White said overdose deaths jumped in the county between 2020 and 2022.
“Travis County now has twice as many opioid overdose deaths than any other county in Texas.”
Stephen White, ATCEMS Division Chief
Prior to 2019, most overdoses involved people knowingly taking opioids. However, White said that’s changed since fentanyl made its way into many drugs.
“They thought they were buying or taking cocaine,” White said. “They end up overdosing on it because they’re uneducated about what’s in the drug supply.”
He said victims don’t realize what’s in the substance they are taking.
“The people who are dying in our community are dying because they bought cocaine and had no idea that it had opioids in it. They are dying by surprise.”
Stephen White, ATCEMS Division Chief
Programs addressing crisis
In his presentation, White noted different ways ATCEMS is trying to address this crisis. One of those initiatives is the Buprenorphine Bridge Program.
Buprenorphine is a drug that can curb withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
The program launched in November 2020 and has been working to provide critical support and care to people experiencing Opiate Use Disorder or OUD.
The program, run by ATCEMS’ Community Health Paramedic (CHP) Program, is a short-term “bridge” program that brings immediate relief to patients seeking treatment for their OUD.
According to White, more than 500 people have entered the program and 93% have completed it.
ATCEMS is also rolling out another program in March to help with Narcan education. White said the Breathe Now Narcan Training has been in development for six months.
“We’re doubling down on our education piece.”
Stephen White, ATCEMS Division Chief
He said the goal is to distribute more than 6,000 Narcan rescue kits to the community.
KXAN’s Sarah Al-Shaikh will have more on this story. You can watch on KXAN News at 6 p.m.