Substance-involved deaths and medical visits have significantly increased in recent years, according to a new Harris County Public Health report.
673 substance-related deaths occurred in 2018. There were 1,177 in 2022. White, non-Hispanic kids had the highest rates of substance-related medical visits, the survey found.
Compared to younger groups, the highest rates were found among youth aged 15 to 19. According to the paper, the rise in teen death overdoses has been connected to the ease with which people can buy substances that resemble prescription medicines on social media.
Rachel Roy works for Harris County Public Health as a non-communicable disease manager. According to her, fentanyl was the most common drug that killed people, followed by cocaine and methamphetamine.
“Harris County continuously reported higher substance-involved death (rates) than Texas as a whole between 2018 and 2022,” she said.
The county is implementing new programs, such as naloxone training, to reduce substance use-related mortality. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration states that medications such as naloxone aid in reversing opioid overdoses.
Black, non-Hispanic community members, those who are homeless, and those who have been associated with the judicial system are the groups most impacted, according to Ericka Brown of the Community Health and Wellness division.
“The disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations underscores the necessity of focused interventions,” she stated.
According to Brown, the county is also implementing initiatives for substance use education in an effort to raise community awareness and lessen the stigma associated with substance use disorders. To help people in recovery, others are being matched with peer recovery specialists.
The public can learn more about the report’s results at a webinar hosted by Harris County Public Health in March of the following year. The complete report is also available online.
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