County gets creative to counter ‘staggering’ number of fentanyl deaths

In the first half of this year, from January to June, 118 people in Travis County died from an overdose of fentanyl. This equaled the number of fentanyl-related overdoses from the entirety of last year.

The outsized opioid-overdose figures spurred county leaders’ announcement of a public health crisis in May, which brought with it a host of directives – such as funding naloxone treatments and community harm reductionists – aimed at correcting the emergency.

On Monday, community leaders gathered to update the public on crisis aversion programs, such as providing bars and bartenders with the overdose-reversing drug Narcan.

“We’re on track, basically, to double the number of overdose and fentanyl deaths this year,” Travis County Judge Andy Brown said. “We won’t have that data until the year is over, but it looks like we’re on a really horrible track along those lines.”

Fifty-nine percent of the overdose deaths in 2022 resulted from fentanyl, up from 38 percent last year, according to county data.

Brown also underscored demographic data related to the overdoses: There was a 150 percent increase in the number of women who died with fentanyl in their system, a 180 percent increase for Black residents and a 125 percent increase for Hispanic residents.

“The data is clear: Fentanyl does not discriminate,” Brown said.

Making the update from one of the partnering bars – Star Bar on West Sixth Street – Brown also mentioned the plan to arm bars with Narcan in an effort to prevent overdose deaths.

“We are taking life-saving steps that are more inclusive and meet people where they are,” he said. “Travis County is working with nonprofits here, local nonprofits to provide bars and bartenders with Narcan, and the training that is required to use it.”

“What we’re doing is enabling our community members to be first responders,” said Christie Mokry, executive director of the nonprofit SafeHaven Harm Reduction. “In the bars, they’ll have it available for anyone. And so if an overdose happens in a bathroom, they can give that life-saving medication at that time.”

Mokry said many people impacted by fentanyl don’t necessarily use opioids. “Overdose is something that impacts everyone,” she said. “Fentanyl has poisoned our drug supply.”

The county plans to put $175,000 into the Communities in Recovery program, an Austin nonprofit that supports recovery from substance-use disorders.

“These numbers are staggering and very concerning,” Austin Health Authority Dr. Desmar Walkes said. “Such a small amount of fentanyl that’s being laced in these pills, and other drug products that are being consumed by our neighbors and friends, can kill. Being there and being ready is going to be the key to saving lives.”

Editor’s Note: Andy Brown is on the board of the Capital of Texas Media Foundation, the parent nonprofit of the Austin Monitor.

Photo made available through a Creative Commons license.

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