Author Archives: Kristian Caballero

An alarming increase in the use of a highly toxic and banned pesticide at illegal marijuana farms hidden on public land in California is leading U.S. and state officials to team up on an issue that recently divided them: pot. They announced Tuesday that they will use $2.5 million in … Continue to full story .......

Doctors at Dell Medical School at the University of Texas and at all Seton Health care Family hospitals are rethinking the way they treat mothers for pain after a cesarean section or a vaginal delivery. The new protocol has decreased the use of opioids by more than 40 percent while … Continue to full story .......

In a record-breaking drug bust in Nebraska, state troopers have seized 118 pounds of fentanyl-containing enough lethal doses to kill tens of millions of people. John Bolduc announced Thursday that opioids seized last month have tested positive for fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, … Continue to full story .......

Heroin was by far the most-seized opioid. “Between 2013 and 2017, Border Patrol seized the majority of heroin from automobiles and trucks, which accounted for 2,167 pounds (67 percent) of 3,218 pounds of seized heroin,” according to the report. Six hundred sixty two pounds was seized in 2017, an increase … Continue to full story .......

Four members of the Austin City Council on Wednesday mulled whether the city should raise the minimum age for people to buy tobacco from 18 to 21. The council members appeared to be united in their support of the change, but they took no official action.

“I think it is … Continue to full story .......

One of the outcomes of the current opioid epidemic is an increased rate of intravenous (IV) drug use — meaning directly injecting opioids or other substances into a vein. It’s a practice that layers risk on top of risk. Yet unfortunately, simply knowing the risks isn’t an effective deterrent, nor … Continue to full story .......

Media plays an integral role in the health behaviors of young people around topics such as body image and substance use.  Join this two-part webinar series, led by the School-Based Health Alliance’s Youth Advisory Council (YAC).

Webinar offers a chance to hear youth perspectives on media influences, receive skills-building tools … Continue to full story .......

Travis County residents have not escaped the opioid epidemic that is ravaging the United States, and Austin Public Health broke down the numbers this month in an article published in the Travis County Medical Society Journal. The article shares that the total amount of drug-related deaths has been rising since … Continue to full story .......

Join us for the kick-off event on April 16^th from 10am-12:30pm at L. Theo Bellmont Hall (BEL), 2109 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, Tx 78712. It will begin with a Coffee Talk featuring Dr. Lori Holleran-Steiker on the topic of “Youth Substance Misuse and Addiction: Innovative Interdisciplinary Initiatives and Solutions.”… Continue to full story .......

U.S. Surgeon General Jerome M. Adams, M.D., M.P.H., is urging more Americans to carry a lifesaving medication that can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Although you may not work in an area of public health directly related to opioid use disorder, the current opioid crisis is widespread … Continue to full story .......