Overdoses Take Top Spot for Deaths in Travis County

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Travis County Judge Andy Brown announced on Wednesday that he is considering declaring a public health crisis due to a big jump in overdose deaths, especially those related to the opioid fentanyl.

“Drug overdoses are a crisis in our community and fentanyl is exacerbating the problem,” said Brown says. “In Travis County we believe that all people should have access to the mental, behavioral, and substance use treatments that can save lives. Our community has asked for help in employing lifesaving, harm-reduction strategies to those who overdose on drugs.”

The Travis County Medical Examiner’s report for 2021 shows a significant increase in overdose deaths.  But it’s fentanyl-related deaths that are the biggest eye-opener.  According to the report, there were 35 fentanyl-related deaths in Travis County in 2020.  One year later, that number spiked up to 118 — a 237 percent increase.

Overdoses are the leading cause of death in Travis County for 2021.  That marks the first year in a decade in which overdoses were responsible for more deaths than anything else.

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