Consider and take appropriate action to receive an update on Opioid Abatement efforts and authorize funding for Fiscal Year 2027 investments. (Judge Brown)

Staff Report & Agenda Item Details

<p style="margin-left:0in;" data-pasted="true">On May 24, 2022, the Travis County Commissioners Court declared a Public Health Crisis in Travis County related to drug overdoses and directed County staff to address the overdose through multiple directives. The Declaration was extended and renewed and now expires on October 1, 2026. The renewed declaration includes these directives:</p><ol><li><p>Travis County Public Information Office (PIO) and Health and Human Services (HHS) to further develop the public awareness and education campaign on opioid overdose and deaths, in collaboration with key community stakeholders including individuals with lived experience, those at the front lines of service delivery, and these entities: Austin Public Health, Central Health, and Integral Care; and</p></li><li>HHS staff to oversee the management of current opioid abatement fund investments; and</li><li>HHS staff present biannually to the Commissioners Court on the status of overdose and deaths in the community, the status of the County’s investments, and new opportunities for investment; and</li><li>HHS staff to continue to provide Naloxone and training on Naloxone administration and overdose awareness to County staff, nonprofit organizations, and the community at large; and</li><li>HHS staff to continue to explore federal and state grants to address the opioid overdose and deaths crisis in the community; and</li><li>HHS staff to continue to monitor and identify any investment opportunities through the Texas Opioid Abatement Fund Council; and</li><li>HHS staff to continue to collaborate with other recipients of opioid settlement funds, including Austin Public Health and Central Health, to ensure a coordinated community response that minimizes duplication of efforts; and</li><li>HHS staff continue to coordinate with key community stakeholders to enhance access to timely and relevant data to ensure interventions reflect the needs of our community; and</li><li>HHS staff to facilitate investment of opioid abatement funds to support harm reduction interventions, such as street outreach, drop-in center, and drug user health education and training; and</li><li>Intergovernmental Affairs staff to articulate the Travis County Commissioners Court position:</li></ol><p style="margin-left:0in;">a) In support of the legalization and access to fentanyl test strips, and expansion of Good Samaritan laws, in the county’s legislative efforts; and</p><p style="margin-left:0in;">b) Against bills that increase arrest and severity of criminal punishment, and impact likelihood of bystanders calling 911 related to overdoses.</p>In this presentation, local organizations with current opioid abatement social service contracts will provide a brief overview of their programs and impact on the community, including:<ul><li>Communities for Recovery</li><li>LifeWorks</li><li>Texas Harm Reduction Alliance</li><li>Vivent Health</li><li data-pasted="true">Addiction and Psychotherapy Services</li><