Austin, Travis County launch opioid resource hub to fight overdoses

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A resource hub can now be viewed by the community, which provides resources for local treatment, where Naloxone/Narcan can be found in Austin and Travis County and more, Austin Public Health (APH) said in a news release Thursday.

The hub, known as the Austin-Travis County Opioid Resource Hub, works as a way to "increase awareness and help reduce the number of drug overdoses" in the community, the release said.

The hub was created by APH and other partners, including Travis County, Texas Harm Reduction Alliance, Austin-Travis County EMS, Communities for Recovery, Integral Care, Texas Health and Human Services and Central Health, according to APH.

"As of December 2024, APH and its partners have distributed 2,134 doses of naloxone to the community," the release said.

The hub provides data reports and a dashboard, treatment/recovery centers, tools and educational resources, including where to find Naloxone/Narcan, according to the website.

Ways to spot, prevent an opioid overdose

• APH said that anyone using should not use alone or behind a locked door
• Let others around you know if you have Naloxone, including other users, just in case, APH said.
• Small pupils, decreased responsiveness/mental status and slow to no breathing are signs of an overdose, the release said.
• If someone is showing signs of an overdose, "use Naloxone and start basic life support to resuscitate them" and call 911.

“Let’s take the time to familiarize ourselves with all the help that is available – it will save lives," Austin-Travis County Health Authority Dr. Desmar Walkes said in the release.